Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage to end 12-31-16

[Chunkster]

I went to Kaiser's website, and the only Medigap plan now offered for the Big Island costs $194/mo vs. $63/mo for the plan they are dropping. That's a 307% increase if one wants to stay with Kaiser. The "new" plan looks a whole lot like the old one with only a few marginally improved benefits. Feels a lot like bait and switch to my neighbors who switched to Kaiser in he past few years after not being able to find providers otherwise.

[taropatch]

I have HMSA Akamai Advantage. As for the 2016 rates, Standard is $156/month and Standard Plus is $196/month. Drugs (Part D) are included. You can talk to reps at the office located next to Walgreens in Hilo and they go over the details with you.

[kalakoa]

KAISER DOES NOT CARE WHO THEY THROW TO THE WOLVES.

None of the other brands do, either. Don't single out Kaiser for "behaving like an insurance company".

I wonder when people will figure out that "insurance" isn't "healthcare".

[reni]

Don't single out Kaiser for "behaving like an insurance company".

Of course it's an insurance company............ by law I was entitled to a copy of my current policy AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTING. This has never happened to me before by ANY insurance company , especially one that supposedly cares about my blood pressure

[kalakoa]

by law I was entitled to a copy of my current policy AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTING.

By law I was entitled to paved roads; the law isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

[BillyB]

"I sent Russell Ruderman an email suggesting that he hold hearings and investigate this,"

If there is a hearing, and no one is listening, is anything actually said?

!!!! Insurance isn't health care?

[Lee M-S]

Yikes, I didn't get a letter. Of course, Kaiser didn't send me a letter when my doctor left, either; I have to find out about stuff on the street. Or the internet.

I've been trying to find more information on the Kaiser site. You can get a senior advantage plan for only $59. On Oahu.
Maui and Big Island residents have to pay $194.
Doctor visits cost less on the new plan, but not enough to make up the cost difference.

Has anyone else gone through the "My Advocate" process to save money at Kaiser? I've done 3 phone interviews (each asking about the same questions), and am now waiting on the paperwork so I can answer all the same questions again, send them off and then have yet another interview to see if I qualify.

><(((*< ... ><(("< ... ><('< ... >o>

[gailbuck]

I found this video very informative. I'm thinking I'll just stick with basic Medicare--and not buy any supplemental plans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJpcZJpfJ2k&feature=youtu.be

[Chunkster]

Gail, the video is enlightening for sure, but the issue for many is not the possible added cost of having basic Medicare only. The main problem is often the lack of availability of doctors in East Hawaii who are accepting new Medicare patients. At least two of my friends went with the Kaiser supplement only because they were guaranteed acceptance by a doctor.

Will Kaiser allow people to stay with them if they have only Medicare? I highly doubt it, but wonder if anyone has looked into this.

[gailbuck]

There are 39 doctors for Internal Medicine in Hilo who are listed as "Accepts Medicare Assignment." My next step is to start calling them to ask if they are taking NEW Medicare patients.

https://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare/results.html#expanded=dvcon0&viewmap=0&keyword=Internal%20medicine&loc=PAHOA%2C%20HI%2096778&lat=19.4095008&lng=-155.0483131&type=All&xpnd=1&vflg=1&lngid=0