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+--- Thread: Finally, health care insurance once again. (/showthread.php?tid=282)
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Finally, health care insurance once again. - Beachboy - 06-11-2007
My wife started working for Hilton Hotels in Waikaloa three weeks ago. She was given a bookelet of Hilton benefits for employees. She is given a choice between three health care plans. One being Kaisers which we are all aware of Kaisers short comings on the Big Island. The other two polices come from the same company. The polices are called UTA 2000 & UTA 600. My question to you folks , has anyone heard of UTA Health Care before? If so could you please tell a bit about it. My wife has said 90% of Hilton employees use UTA 2000.
But I'm one who realizes we get reemed no matter who we use. It's just a matter of what degree we get reemed, and no thanks to the current Adminstration that occupies the White House either.
I think Universal Health Care s right around the corner in our country. It's to bad that 14 years ago certain sectors of this country's gov. went out of their way to sabotage H. Clinton's plan for Universal Health Care.
But I honestly think "Sicko" is gonna wake up both sides of the aisle on this issue. We are at the point in many homes across America where families have to make a choice whether to eat or get one's meds instead!!! That's just plan crazy. Almost as crazy as our country's ranking on the international health care scene!?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F57JcaB92o&mode=user&search=
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - pslamont - 06-11-2007
This may be an unpopular response... but here goes.
We have KAISER and we love it. HMSA sounds better on paper but try finding a doctor for an appointment who is taking patients! With Kaiser, when they send me to Maui or Honolulu for services not provided here they pick up the tab... provide plane tickets and either a shuttle or taxi. My friends and neighbors here just had an incident where hubby had a heart attack; they had to borrow the money from me to fly to Honolulu! That's just not right.
I have complex medical issues and know they can not be met here. I accept that, but Kaiser is willing to meet them and pay for the distance care. As for every-day care, all one has to do is ask for the advice nurse. Once you talk to him or her, if you need to be seen, you will be, period. I find it all very civilized. It is not possible to throw a tantrub to get what you want when you want it, but it is my experience that I get what I need when I need it.
My 2 cents.... Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - Jody - 06-11-2007
I have to agree with Pam. We also love Kaiser. In a few months there will be career changes in our household and we will do whatever it takes to stay with them. We have young children, 4 & 6, and we've been very happy with the care that they've received since birth.
Aloha,
Jody
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - Beachboy - 06-11-2007
quote:
This may be an unpopular response... but here goes.
We have KAISER and we love it. HMSA sounds better on paper but try finding a doctor for an appointment who is taking patients! With Kaiser, when they send me to Maui or Honolulu for services not provided here they pick up the tab... provide plane tickets and either a shuttle or taxi. My friends and neighbors here just had an incident where hubby had a heart attack; they had to borrow the money from me to fly to Honolulu! That's just not right.
I have complex medical issues and know they can not be met here. I accept that, but Kaiser is willing to meet them and pay for the distance care. As for every-day care, all one has to do is ask for the advice nurse. Once you talk to him or her, if you need to be seen, you will be, period. I find it all very civilized. It is not possible to throw a tantrub to get what you want when you want it, but it is my experience that I get what I need when I need it.
My 2 cents.... Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
Pam,
Wow, that fantastic if Kaiser does that for you! But one of my wife's co-workers at the Hilton had Kaisers. But upon realizing that his health issue couldn't be taken care of by his Kaiser doctor. He was recommended to see another HMSA Doc in Kona. He went figuring Kaiser would spring for the bill too. But he was sent a whopping bill that Kaiser never picked up.
Pam, my question to you is. Are you receiving some kind
of special treatment, or have some kind of high end insurance that would require Kaiser to fly you to Honolulu, etc,etc..? I'm trying to figure out why you get this treatment and wifey's co-worker gets the hammer lowered upon him?
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - pslamont - 06-11-2007
Wow, when did your co-worker have thgis experience? I would call Kaiser Membership Services and find out what you can about the plan. Ours is with the teachers union and is a pretty standard policy. My primary physician is a delight; she knows her limits and sets up things right from her office. Also, physicians visit here from Honolulu on a regular basis. For example my Neurologist is here twice a month; not a big deal to get an appointment.
They flew me to Maui for Cardiac Stress testing last month and to Honolulu for an MRI. This is standard operating procedure for Kaiser now days....
Check out the details, but I can't imagine I am getting premi8er treatment. I DID get premier treatment in Southern California and it has been an adjustment to just ne one of the herd here!! LOL
Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - rbonplaza - 06-12-2007
I have been a Kaiser member for thirty years (and an employee for 28) and will be retiring to Puna in 22 months. I would love to hear what folks feel about Kaiser since I intend to transfer my coverage there. Often I have found people need some help using the Kaiser system to their full advantage. Pam is correct: first call member services to clarify what your plan actually covers and then use Patient Assistance to help if the provider's care in not meeting your needs.
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - ericlp - 06-12-2007
Wife and I have Kaiser. We had Kaiser in Oregon as well. I think Kaiser is great. My wife went in for some routine stuff with good results. Of course you have to tell the doctor what you want like anywhere else.
I think it's a bit interesting to have a small clinic here. Weekends and holidays your are SOL if you need to see someone but, I guess Kaiser will foot the bill if it's an emergency.
Tho, if you have your choice of Hilo medical center or Kaiser I'd think I'd want to go to Kaiser hearing all the stories about HMC.
Edited by - ericlp on 06/13/2007 20:17:07
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - Beachboy - 06-14-2007
I myself had Kaisers for several years in Honolulu. Heck, I had there insurance way back when there was the old Kaiser Hospital on Ala Moana Blvd right behind the Ala wai boat harbor. That was some years back. It was only in the past 8 or 9 years I switched over to HMSA with my wife's policy thru her work. But during that time I watched Kaisers monthly premiums go up several times over the years. But to be fair HMSA went to the sky too..
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - Fishboy - 06-17-2007
I brought this conversation forward because of an article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin "Doctor shortage belies top ranking" at http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/17/news/story03.html
The quote that caught my eye was this one:
In Hilo, you can't get a primary care doctor. Everyone there is booked and not taking new patients,"
As the article asks, what good is Kaiser or HMSA if there aren't doctors?
Mahalo nui,
Brian
RE: Finally, health care insurance once again. - sansei - 06-18-2007
In fairness to the study cited by the Star Bulletin, access to health care was a big factor but one of 32 criteria used by the ranking. I guess there is something to be said for a lifestyle with a diet built around seafood, fruits, vegetables and plenty of aloha spirit. Here is a link where you can find the actual study.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=494551