Aetna HMO vs Aetna PPO vs Kaiser HMO (shop, assess)

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I've been with Kaiser for over 30 years. Had two kids (by C-section) with them. Had Thyroid cancer (thyroid removed) with them. I've always been pleased with the great level of care and choice of physicians. And there are clinics located all over the Denver metro area, so you can choose the one closest to you.

Recently my husband had surgery, radiation, and chemo for throat cancer. I can't say enough good things about the team of doctors, oncologists, nurses, dieticians, speech therapist, etc. that cared for him during this ordeal. And they gave me plenty of support, too! We have doctors that are always available by phone or by email, and respond to any questions promptly.

How much you personally have to pay, including copays, depends totally on your employer.

[davebarnes]

Really pleased with Kaiser.
Put them to the test with colon cancer, surgery, chemo.

[BarryK123]

As a retired physician, I would never join an HMO. Do you want to be part of a system where there is an economic incentive for your PCP to NOT refer you to specialists and to minimize expenditures such as diagnostic testing?

Brief anecdote: When I was in practice, my family and I were covered by insurance contracted via a group plan through our county medical society. When I first investigated their coverage, they listed two types of plans - PPO and HMO through the local BC/BS carrier. I asked how many of the physicians chose HMO vs PPO. The HMO selection rate was less than 1% for physicians and their families.

[Brianmedia]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Now we need to break down all the %'s, deductibles, co-pays, Max OOP, etc. and compare as well.

In some ways providing her with 10 different options it a little tedious, but grateful.

It's too bad you get fined/penalized for putting your spouse on your insurance if both of you can get insurance thru your own separate employers

[bluescreen73]

10 plan options? I interviewed with a tech company downtown that had roughly that many plans and trying to sort it out was tedious.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

I've been with Kaiser for over 30 years. Had two kids (by C-section) with them. Had Thyroid cancer (thyroid removed) with them. I've always been pleased with the great level of care and choice of physicians. And there are clinics located all over the Denver metro area, so you can choose the one closest to you.

Recently my husband had surgery, radiation, and chemo for throat cancer. I can't say enough good things about the team of doctors, oncologists, nurses, dieticians, speech therapist, etc. that cared for him during this ordeal. And they gave me plenty of support, too! We have doctors that are always available by phone or by email, and respond to any questions promptly.

How much you personally have to pay, including copays, depends totally on your employer.

I would like to hear about your current thyroid experience. I had mine removed in February of 2016 but luckily my report came back benign.

Best wishes to your husband and his recovery.

[emm74]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

As a retired physician, I would never join an HMO. Do you want to be part of a system where there is an economic incentive for your PCP to NOT refer you to specialists and to minimize expenditures such as diagnostic testing?

Brief anecdote: When I was in practice, my family and I were covered by insurance contracted via a group plan through our county medical society. When I first investigated their coverage, they listed two types of plans - PPO and HMO through the local BC/BS carrier. I asked how many of the physicians chose HMO vs PPO. The HMO selection rate was less than 1% for physicians and their families.

I can't speak to the finances of it, but I can say as a patient, I have never felt that my doctors acted as if they had any incentive to deny care or minimize expenses. I've always received referrals to specialists without any problem or delay, including a referral to a non-Kaiser doctor (not even at my request) when they felt that my condition needed a level of expertise that went beyond the scope of who was available on staff.

Yes, the phone tree is horrible and yes, getting scheduled for something like a non-emergency MRI always takes an annoying length of time, but from what I hear from friends, things like that are not unique to Kaiser.

[illinoisphotographer]

Screw Kaiser.

GF has them. She needed an appt to get her birth control prescription renewed. Before she could even get an appointment, she needed to have a scheduled phone "interview" a week later, then have a follow up call to schedule the appointment.

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by emm74

I can't speak to the finances of it, but I can say as a patient, I have never felt that my doctors acted as if they had any incentive to deny care or minimize expenses. I've always received referrals to specialists without any problem or delay, including a referral to a non-Kaiser doctor (not even at my request) when they felt that my condition needed a level of expertise that went beyond the scope of who was available on staff.

Yes, the phone tree is horrible and yes, getting scheduled for something like a non-emergency MRI always takes an annoying length of time, but from what I hear from friends, things like that are not unique to Kaiser.

It all depends on your PCP. Most of them are great and do what's best without regard to finances. OTOH, I've dealt with a few PCPs over the years where every time I wanted to send a patient for some additional testing, they made me feel like I was trying to deny their kids a college education

[alloo66]

I'm really pleased with Kaiser Permanente. North Colorado region lacks customer service skills compared to other regions. Services are great, team oriented treatment plan.