How Managed Care Treats Patients

By Yvette Ayers<br /><br />January 14, 2022 Dr. Waring – from Kaiser called to reschedule surgery to February 17, 2022, due to operating room not being available. I was able to get answers on January 14 from an email I had sent on January 10, 2021. <br />I requested a referral to have surgery done out of network with Membership services (case #55385603); and Dr. Lentz. I wanted to have the operation as soon as possible. Kaiser seemed busy, not able to respond to emails for critical care information and now was rescheduling the operation again. I had already waited so I could have Dr. Lentz do the surgery. <br />As a client of Kaiser’s for over 10 years, I have enjoyed timely responses to questions; especially those via emails, and timely care. I now have a serious condition and I am not receiving the same level of care. I have stated over and over again, I don’t fault Kaiser. I can see the hospital, the waiting rooms and the parking areas are full. I found City of Hope. <br />Kaiser has now deployed a tactical defense team to stop me from seeking out-of-network care. I sought a second opinion from Dr. Penner, Kaiser-Downey, which reinforced my belief; Kaiser is stretched thin. After check-in and weigh-in I sat for over 35-minutes half dressed in an examination room by my-self before Dr. Penner was able to see me. I was subjected to a very unnecessary brutal internal exam. Dr. Penner stated; “….realistically Kaiser will not approve for you to have the surgery at City of Hope…” Dr. Penner also stated surgery could be postponed again. <br />The level of care I previously received from Kaiser is not available during my time of need. I wasn’t informed of needing a “2nd-opinion from a Kaiser doctor until January 24, 2022, more than a week after requesting a referral. Is Kaiser delaying the process until my condition is at a dangerous high level and I will be forced to stop trying to seek care out-of-network? My blood pressure has already rocketed up from 130 to 143. <br />Kaiser, stop wasting your resources. The nu