Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › West Seattleites who are in Group Health?
- This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 11 months ago by Lura.
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May 1, 2017 at 3:21 pm #881532
CurateParticipantWe have to change our health insurance b/c husband has new job. One of our choices is Kaiser Permanente (now Group Health??). We had them decades ago, when we lived close to Capitol Hill & didn’t have kids. They’ve been off our radar ever since. Are there providers here in WS, or do members have to go to main facility on Capitol Hill? Would also love to know how others feel about the coverage and relative lack of choice of providers (as compared to a non-HMO plan).
Thanks all!
May 1, 2017 at 5:45 pm #881551
LuraParticipantMy family has received consistently high quality health care from Group Health for 27 years. You can go to Capitol Hill or Burien for Primary Care. For smallish issues, they partner with Bartel Drugs.
May 1, 2017 at 6:04 pm #881553
dhgParticipantThe Burien facility is being upgraded but it’s still a good place to go, not too distant. The Bartel Drug care facility is better than I expected for an instant drop in.
May 1, 2017 at 6:48 pm #881556
CurateParticipantThanks Lura + dhg! Do you find the physician choices limiting? Can you fill prescriptions at Bartell’s or do you have to use a Group Health pharmacy?
May 1, 2017 at 10:34 pm #881576
HappyOnAlkiParticipantBenn a happy member of Group Health/now Kaiser for decades — top-notch docs and medical staff!
May 2, 2017 at 12:13 am #881577
J242ParticipantKaiser bought Group Health and they are stellar. My wife and I were under group health as of Jan 1st (switched from Premera, they were and are terrible) and we couldn’t be happier! My wife gave birth on Feb 4th to our daughter at Swedish’s updated facility on Capitol Hill and it was beyond impressive. They focus on well-being over nitpicking details and what would have cost us roughly $21K out of pocket ended up being less than $5K out of pocket for all of our pre-natal, birthing (hospital, anesthesia, doctors, blood tests, bilirubin, food, lodgings for 48 hours, etc) and post-natal checkups.
I cannot speak highly enough about Kaiser P, they are the gold standard. I have family that works for state health up in AK and they cannot speak highly enough about KP either. They really seem to have their priorities in check and are truly focused on the well being of their members vs a better ROI at the end of each fiscal quarter like so many other HCI groups.
May 2, 2017 at 12:19 am #881578
J242ParticipantOh, I had mentioned Premera being bad… Our pre-natal care at HCI Franciscan is costing us (after insurance, IN-NETWORK) over $2,500 for 5 visits and two blood panels because they don’t cover anything until you meet your co-pay. KP counts ALL “preventative” or “wellness” appointments like basic pre-natal & post-natal (even IUD placement post birth) as 100% “covered” so no money out of pocket and no surprise bill down the road either. It’s TRULY “covered”.
They aren’t the cheapest (or the most expensive) but the extra $50 a month I’ve been spending on them has already saved me close to $10K so I will definitely be staying with them for the foreseeable future.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 12 months ago by J242.
May 2, 2017 at 12:30 am #881581
CurateParticipantWow, thanks for all the details & glowing recommendation, J242! Would you be willing to answer additional questions for me? If so, could you email me at wprowell@live.com?
Thank you!
May 2, 2017 at 8:17 am #881600
mytwocentsParticipantI have been a member of GHC now KP for 20 years. I go to Capitol Hill where everything is under one roof – lab, xray, pharmacy, specialists. I go in the very early morning or early afternoon to avoid traffic. There are many providers there, I have never felt that I was limited in any way. I can self refer to most specialists if I so desire. The Bartells option is great for immunizations or quick visits, you can put yourself in line by signing in on the website. I get my prescription refills by mail order, but you can use the Bartells also. I can email the healthcare team and the nurse or doctor writes back. I really like the “My KP” website where I can see my entire health record on line: immunizations, visit summaries, medications, test results, etc. The Capitol Hill urgent care is open 24 hours a day, I have used this many times on a weekend or after work. Very big on preventative healthcare, no complaints!
May 6, 2017 at 12:37 am #882036
LuraParticipantI have never found the choices limiting. A couple times I haven’t liked a doctor and have switched, but it’s no more often than my non-Group Health friends. It was easy to switch providers, and there were always plenty of excellent doctors to choose from.
I love their record-keeping. I always use the Group Health Pharmacy.
Some times I have been exasperated trying to schedule an appointment, etc, but a few months later I look back and overall the care was appropriate.
Husband had a major serious life-threatening health event, and it was treated smoothly through a Group Health partnership with Virginia Mason. No hassle, no big bills, no worry over appropriate care. Sometimes it’s a pain to schedule minor stuff, but for the big life threatening issues the care has been perfect, prompt, hassle-free, and affordable.
Last December they switched some pharmacy systems and had some delays. I expressed my concerns. A few hours later I had a personal response from the CEO/President. Seriously.
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