Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage to end 12-31-16

[Chunkster]

I sincerely wish you good luck, and please let us know how many look promising.

[reni]

"by law I was entitled to a copy of my current policy AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTING."
"the law isn't worth the paper it's printed on."
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I disagree, Kalakoa
The law CAN be worth the paper it's printed on . It was all I had to go on.
It is unfortunate that sometimes one has to demand that the law be upheld and HOPE that it will be. And of course there is very little chance without government enforcement. In my case, the State immediately acted upon my complaint. They did enforce their law.

[leilanidude]

In most states, the state insurance commission is one of the few agencies that actually enforce those laws and regulations.

[Kenney]

Just heard on KGMB that letters are going out to Kaiser Medicae patients (affected by the letter informing us that our plans end at the end of the year,)
later this week to acquaint us with Kaiser's NEW Medicare plan. At first glance it's about 10$ less than I'm paying Kaiser now for their best plan, which tells me that if the cost is less, so will the service be...
HMSA is doing Seminars at Hilo this week to unveil their new plan. I will attend and compare. Big decision for nearly 4,000 patients on Maui and 3,900 on the BI. Everybody else can cruise I guess.

Live well and Thrive til you're 65, then await your fate. Thank you Kaiser. (NOT!)

[kalakoa]

unfortunate that sometimes one has to demand that the law be upheld and HOPE that it will

Kinda my point -- now you've got government arguing with lawyers at the insurance company, when all you really wanted was some healthcare.

[reni]

"Kinda my point -- now you've got government arguing with lawyers at the insurance company, when all you really wanted was some healthcare."
Point well taken !
And just heard Mango Medical is closing it's door in Hilo. Apparently bean counters were not happy with the numbers. This will add several hundred more without a primary Dr here on the East side if an alternate is not offered by the Waimea office....... Will call the head office in Waimea tomorrow and hopefully find out more.
Gailbuck....thank you for your posts and I too now will be awaiting your post on Doctors accepting medicare.

[Amrita]

If you change the specialty from internal medicine to family practice on the web site you'll get a new list. My doctor accepts Medicare and was not on the internal med. list but is on the family practice list.

quote:

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Originally posted by 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

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[gailbuck]

I called several Internal Medicine doctors this morning and found none who would take new Medicare patients. Then, I called some Family Practice doctors. Dr. Stefan Carl Harmeling of Aloha Nui Family Practice IS taking new Medicare patients. Dr. Richard Kwan Min Lee-Ching MAY take new Medicare patients--must call and answer some questions.

If you have an emergency medical condition, go to the Puna Community Medical Center (they take Medicare) in the Malama Market Shopping Center.

All of the Bay Clinics (which are non-profit and Federally-funded) take Medicare.

I don't want to pay $194 a month for Kaiser.

[reni]

"Dr. Richard Kwan Min Lee-Ching MAY take new Medicare patients--must call and answer some questions."

Doctor Lee-Ching is a great guy...he does travel however and is not always in town. His clinic has an added bonus. Dr. Lee Ching shares his clinic with his wife (physical therapist )and daughter.
They have all mastered the art of Qigong and offer
Qigong practice for pain management. Jana Ching is also a licensed acupuncturist . We had the pleasure of attending a 3 week workshop in China with them several years ago. Qigong is WONDERFUL!
http://www.hiqi4health.org/who-is-hiqi4health.html

I spoke with Mango medical in Waimea this morning . The Hilo clinic is definitely closing its doors . My closest clinic will now be Waimea. It is not clear where my Doctor will be going...not the best of news for our family.

[gailbuck]

FREE Qigong sessions at Leilani Estates Community Center on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9am. We are very lucky to have Alice on Tuesdays and Joe on Fridays to lead the class.