Kaiser San Diego Options Program

I am posting this to help assist a few people that have Kaiser. They are told they have to go thru the Options program which is really costly. Their PCP have already given the recommendations and the only part that may be a problem is going thru the options program.

Do anyone know if this is a do or die prior to surgery and if not how or what is the procedure to appeal?

Any and all information is greatly appreciated because these 3 people can not afford the cost of the Options program and are 5'2 and 280 plus lbs!

Thank you

I didn't realize the Options program cost anything.

Anyway, the DMHC will waive this requirement if you appeal to them. I don't know the steps to do that but there are people on OH who do. Maybe one of them will see this and give you more specific advice.

Wow...I am suprised that San Diego is charging for the Options classes!  I went through the Options program at Kaiser, Fontana and it was free.  My suggestion would be to ask why they are charging when other Kaiser's are free.  Best of luck!!

I think they might be miss informed.  I am currently on the options program (track #124) and I pay nothing out of pocket for the classes.  The only thing they ask was to take a 3 ring binder to hold all the material/paperwork they give us for future reference.  It is mandatory to take this class before the surgery to prepare you and answer any questions you may have.  I actually like going to my classes and it doubles as a support group!

PS after the intial PCP referal it took me 2 weeks to get into the orientation class then another 2weeks to start the actual options program. I will be going to my 4th class on Thursday after that will have 8 classes to go.

Good Luck!

The more information you know about the surgery, the better you'll be off.

I went through the Options class and knew about the risks. I had surgery 5 yrs ago and this year, I had a bowel obstruction and now have about 2 feet of small intestines, and had my RNY reversaled, and died in the OR. Good luck!