Kaiser Permanente

There is a time and place for doctoral degrees, PhD's of law and philosophy, and a time for common sense alone

Let me share with you a situation where common sense was been thrown to the wind with tragic results.

When a simple problem that cries out for mercy and charity presents itself, and instead of running to scripture, we run to our law books, those books which have in America attempted to replace the ten commandments (with over 20, 000 new laws per year, and ten times as many regulations) we are expressing the very hardness, the coldness that is reflected in this story..

The following is a tale of a former football player with a single, simple problem, a problem that begged for a common sense solution.

Instead what we as a society delivered was abandonment, and even cruelty, as Kaiser Permanente's famed Risk Management, Oakland attempted decide not how to reduce risk for an elderly patient, but rather to reduce risk to the millions of dollars that comes into that behemoth every month in the form of premiums, premiums that are then used to discover ways and methods to deprive Kaiser members of the most inexpensive services.

THE STORY.

Approximately three months ago, an elderly man (69 yr old former football player) who had been treated for a deteriorating skeletal condition for ten years, was assigned a temporary replacement
Permanente physician, Dr. Susan Scholey, while his permanent physician, Dr. Gary Rinzler, took a few weeks to rest.

Dr. Scholey decided that, even though X-rays and ten years of ongoing evidence of success with this patient were present, they were insufficient.

Dr. Scholey therefore, placed an assessment requirement before the patient which was not part of the agreement the patient had with his permanent doctor, an assessment that Dr. Scholey could not defend in terms of either science or medical necessity.

Since Dr. Scholey was theoretically in charge in Dr. Rinzler's absence, and since her recommendations to interrupt the ongoing treatment were not overturned by her immediate supervisors, Dr. Scholey terminated care of this elderly patient, including all medications.

Upon the return of Dr. Rinzler to the scene, he attempted to simply take back the patient and resume care. However, Drs Scholey, Midgley, Isaacs and Pearl evidently had decided that the independent assessment was necessary.

That being the case, the patient found the time resources to comply, since the assessment was now being recommended by Dr. Rinzler, if only so that he could resume care. The patient therefore underwent the assessment with Permanente physician, Dr. Kegang Hu.

As the patient knew he would, Dr. Hu agreed wholeheartedly with Dr. Rinzler that the treatments being provided to the patient for ten years were appropriate.

However, when the patient then asked to be returned to Dr. Rinzler's care as agreed, Dr. Scholey advised everyone that the matter had been referred to Permanente RISK MANAGEMENT, in Oakland, CA.

So, now we have a patient paying $5, 000 in premiums, still only wanting to resume his decade long medical regimen, having complied with an unnecessary assessment, still being denied the only medical services Kaiser Permanente was providing to him for this premiums.

Actions taken by the patient's Medical Representative thus far:

Medical Licenses of Drs. Scholey, Midgley, Isaacs and Pearl have been reported to the Medical Board of California. The Charge: Violation of the Elder Abuse Laws and Patient Abandonment.

Kaiser Permanent has been reported to the California Department of Managed Health Care for the same violations of law.

The patient himself has repeated constantly that the only thing he requires is a return to the regimen that several physicians prior to Dr. Scholey felt was perfectly appropriate.

It is amazing all the staff time expended and agony generated when the resolution of this issue has always been so simple: Return the patient to the regimen that was in place prior to Dr. Susan Scholey deciding for non-medical, non-scientific reasons that an interruption was appropriate.

The patient has unilaterally indicated to anyone who will listen that he has backed away from a consideration of litigation, and simply and humbly continues to request that the simple treatment for his deteriorating skeletal condition be resumed under the direction of Dr. Gary Rinzler.

Not that it is particularly relevant, but to follow up on the football comment above. The condition was the result of a violent illegal back block during a football game that caused the compromised spinal condition initially. At that time, those kinds of hits were legal.

AGAIN THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: A RETURN TO WHAT WAS THREE MONTHS AGO BEFORE DR. SUSAN SCHOLEY decided an elderly man didn't deserve to have his suffering ameliorated.

That the Permanente Medical Group has chosen to ignore this patient's pain and legitimate need in the face of several evaluations which support the patient's long term regimen is testimony that, when an organization loses contact with the human aspects of medicine, all sorts of abuses are possible.

As of this writing, this elderly man, 69 years of age, is without medical services of any kind. He is currently paying Kaiser Permanente $5, 000 in premiums for absolutely nothing.

Isn't there a word for that someone in America?

What is up with Kaiser's appointments. My mother in law has Kaiser health insurance through her job. She is currently suffering with depression and anxiety last month March 2011 she scheduled an appointment she was scheduled for a month after her booking it. She just went two day's ago and even when she explained to whoever scheduled her appointment, that she was suffering from depression and anxiety, they made her appointment with a THERAPIST!..So the therapist could not prescribe her anything or help her at all, the only think the THERAPIST said to her was that she needs to see a psychologist and they gave her an appointment until JUNE 2011! what in the world. This other time she was suffering from back problems to the extend of her not being able to go to work... and Kaiser gave her an appointment that was scheduled 4 weeks after she called. Then they took an X-ray of her back and told her she would get the results in 2 weeks. MAN KAISER TAKES FOR EVER TO GIVE YOU APPOINTMENTS! I cant believe government insurance like medical and medicare takes less time to give you appointments . I have medical for low income families and I call my Dr. one day and I see him the next.

To better understand Kaiser Permanente and see the big picture read the following and understand that from its creation by Mr. Edgar Kaiser in 1973, this HMO inherited a "DNA" mutation that made this organization so successful.

"Perhaps the best introduction to the Kaiser HMO and Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Plan is the summary by Mr. Edgar Kaiser that the less Kaiser does for patients the more money it makes. To get the full context one can go to the University of Virginia and review the presentation Mr. Edgar Kaiser (then Kaiser CEO) made to President Nixon through Mr. Erlichman — the less we do the more we earn". “All the incentives are toward less medical care, because—the less care we give them, the more money we make”.

Protect yourself and your family; learn from other victims horror stories. Kaiser Permanente is in business to please the stock holders, NOT its members!
Remember Kaiser Permanente's main policy: “All the incentives are toward less medical care, because the less care we give them, the more money we make”.

Kaiser Permanente has no interest to maintain you healthy!
Is a conflict of interest--they will get broke! Therefore, KP makes more and more billions each year, NOT on maintaining you healthy, BUT on maintaining you SICK!

If you don’t get it, Google my name Marin Pitu, see video(s); check www.kaiserpapers.org and learn how to avoid being a victim of Kaiser Permanente.
Please forward the video(s) to all your friends. Expose and confront Kaiser Permanente’s illegal activities.
Kaiser Permanente HMO: The biggest scheme in the history of mankind.

ALWAYS remember: “All the incentives are toward less medical care, because the less care we give them, the more money we make”
Learn how to maintain you healthy and STOP paying Kaiser Permanente to MAINTAIN YOU SICK!

Read, see video and pictures and hopefully you will understand how America’s biggest health care scheme works!
They will ruin your health and life the way THEY did to me and thousands of other victims!

See a great documentary: “The Beautiful Truth” and learn about another best kept secret: Dr. Max Gerson’s treatment; contact Gerson Institute in San Diego California.

Remember to Google my name Marin Pitu, see video(s); check www.kaiserpapers.org and forward it to all your friends. Expose corruption and fraud on The For-profit health care.
Marin Pitu

My wife has been in cuma with branin anueyrism and hemmorage since Dec 11, 2010, the case manager Dot Zautner who was working to get my wife out to rehab before my wife was even discharged, and without any prior consents, conversations, or agreement, she faxed my wife's full medical record to a Rehab Center outside Kaiser operating privatly, then after my complaints about this process a new and worst case manager took over the case her name is Sharon Gray, who started to covering up for Kaiser and the previous case manager Dot, then she was trying to do her best to PUSH my wife out of the hospital to the Rehab Center since January 17th., 2011, however due to my arrguments and fighting back their process and reasons, I was able to keep my wife at the hospital. Sharon Gray continue to harasse me and many times attempted to influence the doctors to sign the discharge letter even when she was removed from my wife's case due to my request. Her removal from handling my wife case was confirmed by her supervisor and manager both Susan Lucero and Viola Davis who spoke with her directly and asked her not to be invloved in any way in my wife's case of transferring to Skilled Nursing Facility SNF, but due to her hate to me and my family, and her discrimination against me due to my Race & Religion she got invloved in the case knowingly she was removed from it, and contacted Dr. Lai plus the SNF to get my wife out of the hospital as of March 21st, she influenced Dr. Lai with her lies, and negative feedback about me, so Dr. Lai felt in her trap and signed the discharge letter, which was later over turned.
Sharon Gray has been acting very mean, very unprofessional, and very hatefull to me and my wife and the family, she attempted to do whatever in her power, influence others, gave negative feedback totaly false about me to doctors, nurses, social workers at Kaisers which will be prooven in the court of law after I bring this matter to my counsel very soon, however at this time I am just taking care of my wife, and having the daily challange to be dealing with Kaiser member services and utilizations staff.

I started the Pain Management Program after 9 MONTHS! of testing to finally figure out that I have A horrible case of Degenerative Disc Disease. I am in so Much pain that I haven't slept in months. They told me the only cure is a disc replacement surgury that I can get in 10 years from now when they have better technology. After getting the BARE MINIMUM amount of Pain pills even though I had mkedical evidence of pain I went over my prescribed amount even though I complained it wasn't enough for months...Well they decided to KICK ME OUT OF THE PAIN PROGRAM considering me NOW A PAIN PILL JUNKIE and reffered me to a CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY CLINIC AFTER 9 MONTHS of TESTS THEY KICKED ME OUT OF THE PAIN CLINIC IN 2 WEEKS ! That place is a Malpractice JOKE with the rudest doctors and nurses and customer service and Just plain smarts period.. DO NOT GOT TO KAISER MARTINEZ FOR ANYTHING TO DO WITH PAIN or in fact ANYTHING AT ALL...AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

Kaiser is absolutely awful! They won't pay if you have complicated medical issues and simply don't care. They only care about saving money. They hurt me tremendously, and I am still in pain from their lack of care. When I filed a complaint with Kaiser, they offered me extended coverage and then reneged on their offer.
In addition to all the pain they caused me, I now have to pay for the extended coverage bills they were supposed to cover. Very cruel and unethical! Their complaint process is a joke and will now cost me thousands. Don't use Kaiser unless you want to be maimed or be broke!

After paying $1200 / mo for insurance, and waiting 3 hours for simple cough syrup with "controlled" codeine, new building and electronic medical records is Worthless if MDs don't Always give patients Written Rx. Cough is keeping me up. Doesn't take years of med school to know pharmacy won't give med in CA if no written Rx. RN should have caught this too. Delsym is Not cutting it. Who is the Medical Director and CEO?! For this much money, you need to get it together! Pharmacist just blames this on per diem MDs. If you see a problem in the system, You need to Speak up! Tell me your name and I'll come find you face to face!

Kaiser eye doctor failed to diagnose problem with the retina in my left eye.

As a result I had detached retina and had 3 surgeries. I have less than 20% vision in my left eye and I can't read or drive using my left eye.

When I complained to Kaiser, they denied responsibility and informed me that it is more than 6 months to seek arbitration. I filed complaint with the state optometry board and they have filed charges against Dr. Leland Toy for gross negligence, incompetence etc. and will revoke or suspend his license.

I was just denied by Kaiser Permanente for being pregnant. Apparently, the result of being in-between insurance policies that you can afford but do to pure circumstance, are not covered, results in you having absolutely no coverage or hope for coverage for nine months and going into extreme debt. To add insult to injury, you are asked to take a urine test, like a criminal. So after crying hopelessly about the evil of insurance companies and the horrific state of healthcare in America, I curled up on the couch.

Then I turned on the TV and low and behold, a beautiful advertisement with babies, strollers, and all the joys of parenthood. Then boom: Kaiser Permanente: Thrive.

How DARE you put that ad up with your policy of complete discrimination. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Pregnant women are not a disease. And I notice how no medical responsibility is carried by the other half of the equation: males. Ther coverage is both less costly and without restraints.

Thanks for making the joys of motherhood transform into terror and sadness, Kaiser Permanente.

Horribly sexist commercial currently running. Makes a mockery of women, especially pregnant women. Plays a stupid, goofy song while telling women that they must spend money on all this junk they don't need. Assumes women are materialistic and gullible, love to spend money on useless items, and will happily buy anything you tell them too.

Utterly idiotic and terrible offensive. This commercial is about as undignified as you can get. This is not Kaiser's only sexist commercial. There are others currently running which also encourage hatred against women.

Bigotry cannot be tolerated. Please boycott Kaiser (haven't they killed & maimed enough people, anyway?)...and please call and email them to let them know WHY you won't ever use their services.

I have been a Kaiser Employee at Woodland Hills for many years. The one thing you can count on is incompetency. They have too many chiefs in the kitchen making alot of money. I work in a department that has four administrative staff members that do nothing but harass the staff. Staff members receive corrective action for calling in sick. Someone please get rid of Betsy Diep. She is the most incompetent of them all. She has a masters degree in acting arrougant and pretending to comprehend nursing. The Emergency Room is failing because of her and the other assistant administrator Antonio Molina. The Department Administrator Caryn Pola is a tyrant. When she came to our department she stated she came to fire employees. Someone look into these corrupt people!

DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO KAIER FOR SERNIOR ADVANTAGE. YOU HEALTH WILL BE COMPROMISED. Kaiser medicare covered patients. Kaiser reaps big profits by monies from medicare-midical covered patients by denying covered medicare benefits and delayed services until you spend countless hours and job time lost and money lost then they say ok covered only after you complain to medicare and the medicare attorneys get involved. Delayed service created further physical deteriotion for mother and contributed to degerative ability to swallow to a point of non-recovery. They profit that for the other 20 times they denied a covered benefit, only 1 would follow through. My brother didn't know the benefit was covered for the last 3 years adding to kaisers profit margin. My mother is now in a Skilled Nursing Facility and seems to be almost 100% agree it is better to be on Medicare (and medical) rather then on Kaiser. The use the many other doctors that are assigned to different hospitals so you are not constrained by an HMO. Even the caretakers agree that it is harder and slower (as well as more limited)when Kaiser is the contracted HMO.

I waited 4 mos. for an appt. with a female gyn, only to be told that she was not there that day and I would be seeing a male doctor. I have had no luck dealing with menopause symptoms and male dr's. After my female exam, I asked him about refilling my HRT and he point blank looked and me and said"If you take these you will get breast cancer and die". The man is an idiot. Typical male dr response to menopause. He is very uninformed and I have been to a female expert in menopause and have been very well educated in HRT. He never even asked during the exam about any of the symptoms I had told the nurse about. I had even told the nurse it was a waste of time to discuss any women's issuses with a male dr and she agreed. The only thing he offered was a prescription for a psych drug, which left me angry that he obviously thinks menopause is all in our head. I will be returning to my old dr and paying out of pocket so i will not have to suffer as I do at this time without my HRT. I am very unhappy with Kaiser and sorry our employer switched our insurance to them. I have never been subjected to more uninformed, only there for the paycheck dr's in all my life. I did email the dr I was suppose to see and let her know how unhappy I was with the visit and that I know all the studies on HRT and breast cancer. no response yet from any one at Kaiser. What a waste of time and money at that place.

My Kaiser Id is [protected]. My name is Heidi Lewis. my date of birth is 01/06/1957. my signon for online services is HeidiAwsome. I do not remember my previous husbund's month of birth who I divorced from in 1991, and I want immediate online access. If this is not received in the next 15 minutes. I will have my brother's lawyer sue on my behalf for the emotional and physical damages that occurred because of this obviously ridiculous program. Heidi Lewis, 250 Wilkerson Ave, APt 190, Perris, CA 92570 Phone number [protected].

I've been calling Kaiser customer service [protected] almost everyday for a week now to cancel my moms insurance policy and its bean a real pain. First of all most customer service reps are not that helpful. The representative I spoke today 10:01 ET 01/04/10 was the worst of them, she try to ignore all my questions and attempted to hang up on me. She was very rude.

It was also especially hard to send a fax to them, I faxed cancellation notice almost everyday and they have 2 days to verify if the fax went through. I've faxed my docs at home and thru outside fax service but when I try to verify later, they were not able to receive it.

My son has chest pians in his right rib. He wants a doctor's appointment. Kaiser Permanete was telephoned on 5/11/09, 5/12/09, 5/18/09 and 5/19/09 for an appointment with any doctor. No appointment was given. He was informed he would be called back. He spoke to a nurse named Jim by telelphone on 5/18/09, but no appointment was given Membership servies were contacted and "Rosie" attempted to make an appointment on 5/19/09, however she has not yet been successful. What happpened to the days when you called your doctor and the receptionist gave you the next available appointment. If your doctor was not in, he had a back up physician. My son was only told if it was an emergency to go to urgent care.

Doctor at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City, has refused to refill insulin prescription for a long time type I diabetic, until patient comes in for blood work. Doctor has also stated that the patient hasn't been coming in for appointments. Patient has stated that she hasn't been contacted by the doctors office to come in for the stated appointment.

Patient is unable to travel to the facility, and will need the insulin soon. This is an outrage and borders on negligence on the doctors part. Insulin should NEVER be used as a bartering tool to get a patient in for an appointment. Patient spoke with her former North California Kaiser endo/doctor who said they would never withhold insulin if a patient hadn't come in for their blood work.

The patient is weighing the possibility of filing formal complaints with the ADA, as she feels she may not be the only diabetic patient that is being refused life sustaining medication.

This doctor also is involved with a pay to perform organization that rates them and rewards them for having patients with good blood glucose control/good blood pressure etc...patient believes this is the main reason for forcing the issue of getting her into the office for the blood work.

Patient is currently speaking with any attorney.

Every thing started when I called Kaiser Permanente in Mountain View, CA to get proof that I was immune to

Hepatits B (for work purposes). When I received the bill in the mail, I was

charged for 4 additional tests that I never asked for. The total bill was $690. I filed a grievance with Kaiser

Permanente and it was denied because they claimed I asked for these tests. When I asked, "Who said I asked for

these tests?" The doctor said, "There was a note on my desk and it wasn't signed." I ask them to search the phone

records, and they said they found nothing. What it boils down to is they have no record of me asking for these

tests and they are taking the doctor's word against mine. Please help! I don't want to pay for tests that I never

asked for in the first place.