Anyone dealing with Kaiser Permanente for Treatment?

[kzepol]

Hi everyone,
I have mentioned in some of my posts and pms that I have Kaiser as my health care provider and find their services, not only in regard to AN, to be frustrating, time consuming and questionable. Anyone else out there using Kaiser? Any suggestions? Thanks to all of you who take the time to read these posts and respond, karen

[dmarie]

Hi!

 Actually, I have Kaiser in Denver and all aspects DIRECTLY associated to the AN have been wonderful and seamless.  I've been through two separate AN surgeries in the past 4 years and 2 separate rounds of radiation.  Not once have I ever received erroneous bills, etc.  I may be in for a third recurrence of surgery and radiation this summer, which I will go out of network for, so I will soon find out if my luck with them holds out.  I have verbal guarantees from Kaiser that everything will be covered as long as my Denver Neurologist gives them his complete blessing.  Needless to say, I will be getting it all in writing. 

 Their records department, however, is quite questionable in their abilities.  I have had side issues with getting them to realize that acupuncture is indeed covered for me.  I can walk them through THEIR OWN webpage over the phone showing them my provider is on their approved list.  They still won't approve my sessions because they can't replicate the finding of my acupuncturist on their own.  Yes, agree that portion is extremely frustrating.

  What part of the proccess are you having a hard time with?

Marie

[kzepol]

What am I having problems with? I would like to expand but I'm on my blacberry right now waiting to see the psychiatrist because of the stress I feel is compounded by Kaiser's slow response to my concerns. I will pm you later from my pc and try to capsulate my frustration. I really appreciate your feedback. Lost hearing right side w/ tinnitus 5 yrs ago. Recent MRI dx 7mm AN, sounds like dr plans transoptic approach. 

[TJ]

kzepol

I do not have Kaiser but someone in my support group has them.  I know you will get all the information but your AN is still considered small.  Kaiser does do CyberKnife because the person I know had it.  Just make the decision best for you not the doctor.

TJ

[Syl]

kzepol:

I'm sorry you're having a difficult time with Kaiser. I, too, have Kaiser. I had AN surgery 2.5 yrs ago & didn't have any major issues regarding my AN. I was very happy with the whole outcome.

Syl

[ilsemor]

 About a year ago, at one of the meeting I met a man who had his surgery at Kaiser in San Diego, CA.  I don't know where you're located but his results were incredible, no facial paralysis, nothing, we were all very impressed with his results. 
If you are near Los Angeles, maybe worth finding out.

[lil_lyd]

Hello,
I have Kaiser and I had surgery about 4 years ago at Kaiser San Diego. The diagnosis of an Acoustic Neuroma was very frustrating because I kept telling my GP that I had lost my hearing and had very bad dizziness. He kept telling me it was Sinus and treated me for sinus for about 4 months. Without any improvement  I requested a specialist who put me on steroids for about 14 days and scheduled me for an MRI after treatment. The MRI confirmed the acoustic neuroma 2.5cm and was referred to doctor Cuevas and Dr Mastrodimos in San Diego. Dr. Cuevas is the specialists and Dr. Mastrodimos is the Neurologist. I was diagnosed November 17th 2006 and by December 12 2006 I had my first visit in San Diego. I had surgery February 22nd 2007. The treatment doctor Cuevas gave and the explanation about surgery and recovery was great. I have no complaints. I was hospitalized for about 4 days and Dr. Cuevas was always checking on me. Even to this day if I have a question I can email him and he will answer my questions very gladly. He told me that I needed MRIs through at least 10 years and he has scheduled my MRIs as I need them. I don't live in San Diego I'm in the San Bernardino area and since I can't make it to San Diego he sends me the results over email. He is very efficient and prompt to respond. I did loose my hearing as he had told me but I don't have any facial paralysis and no eye problems ( except dryness sometimes). I recently did a follow up with a neurologist in my area and he said that just by looking at my face he wouldn't imagine that I had an Acoustic Neuroma surgery since my face was not paralyzed. I had an MRI November 1st 2010 and everything looked fine. I asked Dr. Cuevas of possibility of a regrowth and he told me about 1% since he had removed all of it. I hope this information helps and if you are in this area ask if you can be referred to Dr. Cuevas. I was told he is the only specialits in this area. Good luck to you!!!!

[smiley]

Thanks for the info regarding Dr. Cuevas and Mastrodimos lil.  After HEI removed one of my AN's, I was placed on the watch and wait status for the other one (diagnosed with NF2).  I am currently a Kaiser member and I have been very happy with their service thus far.  They schedule my yearly hearing test and MRI promptly and Doctors Mastrodimos and Cuevas have made it convient for me by handling my appointments over the phone as they go over my results.  This was my request since I don't live in the San Diego area either.

I am a couple of weeks away from this years results and of course getting a little anxious, but it's good to read you have positive things to say about the doctors.  I've been hoping to read some past patient's results about them.