Anyone from Northern Cali?

Hey there Monica- I have Kaiser and I started my process in June of 2006 when I talked to my pcp.  I had another appointment in July with a program person. Then I didnt have my orientation til Sept 26.  Then it was 3.5 months til I had my consult with my surgeon, the nutritionist and the program director.  Then i had to lose my 10%.  It took til mid may and the only thing left to do was my psych eval. i had that June 13th.  Since then I have called twice and my chart is on her desk w/10 others.  So now I am waiting for the program director to call with a date.  So all of that to say it can take a long time with Kaiser.  I can say that the people at Fremont Bariatric are very helpful. So it has taken just over a year, and i am still waiting for a date.  Good luck to you let me know if i can help with anything. 

How horrible to have to go through all that and wait that long.  My mother in law is a retired nurse for Kaiser and even she said it's absolutely terrible what they put people through and how long it takes.  She said it is just politics and a slow moving system.   I worked in Kaiser's Vallejo call center for a short time before moving and having been in the medical business for years it only took me a very short time to learn(on my own)  how to get patients into appointments in a fast and accurate time frame, 95% of the other representatives don't have a concept on that. After thinking about it for a year, I made my final decision on May 26 - found the Dr. I wanted to go to and will have my surgery on July 22.  Everytiime I see a Kaiser patient starting the process I put them in my prayers.....

Wow!  That is a quick turnaround, I just wish Kaiser worked that quickly.  I will make sure to say a prayer for you on July 22...I will not forget that date since it is my b-day! (hahaha) This forum is so awesome!  Thank you for the wonderful advice & support! Moni

hi moni!  i'm in sf so i just wanted to say hello.  i'm with blue cross, so i'm not much help.  i've heard that kaiser can sometimes move a bit slowly.  i hope you get good news soon!

Hi Moni: Well I will try and remember it is your birthday.  So it will be my bandbirthday.  Awesome....

Hi I had my surger with Kaiser South San Francisco and the process takes a while after your PCP has referred. It  took me almost three months to hear back from them. They do have lots of patients and they will get to you eventually. Hang in there good luck....I love Kaiser and they have one of the best Bariatric programs in the country....once you are in things will start flowing. T