What should I do next ?

[notjustMBC]

I am so discouraged . As if stage 4 wasnt enough . Kaiser Permanente has been worst than horrible . Don't answer calls , or emails , and have left me for 2mths without the treatment they are prescribing . They also missed an appt , should have been more Faslodex shots at 2 wks , but they just didn't book it . Apparently they want Pfizer to drop ship this horribly expensive drug . KP is willing to foot most of the bill , has sent me a letter stating that financial assistance is guaranteed until 2023 . Sounds good , except they haven't provided the drug . 2 mths now , and I keep calling them . What BS , dealing with people who know nothing , in their pharmacies . I have tried looking for a 2nd opinion , and that oncologist from Miami days , is out of the office for 3 weeks . He's at Mayo now . So , I am left hanging.with no real plan, except more chemo shots on March 18th .

[mariootsi]

Omg. As if things aren't bad enough!

[Cowgirl1951]

I get my meds straight from Pfizer. If they have a prescription from my oncologist I do not have any issues. My oncologist leaves the US occasionally and her nurse will have another oncologist write prescriptions in her absence. I hope this gets cleared up. Make friends with your oncologist's nurse. The nurses are a godsend.

[Lynn-in-California]

Go online to the Kaiser website and file a grievance. Name you doctors' names and state what you want. They will get back to you.

[Nocillo]

I wish you some resolution and quickly! Time is precious to us and anyone who wastes our time has no clue as to the stress they cause, besides the fact that you’re not getting your medicine! So frustrating! Good luck 🍀!

[Threadsgirl]

I get my Ibrance and Letrozole from a specialty pharmacy, it does not come from Pfizer directly. My oncologist sends in a prescription and the drugs are shipped to my home, have never had a problem. I also touch base after any appts or bloodwork with my onc’s med nurse. This is a small center in a small health system, some place like Kaiser should have this as well. Every month I have to take the reins and make sure my drugs are prescribed and coming, the pharmacy does not send them automatically. The pharmacy can be an annoying at first until the groove is set in place, but now it’s like clockwork. Sounds like a communication problem and you are not reaching the right people but your oncologist or nurse should be helping you out with this. It’s wonderful that they are footing the bill.

[8576]

Oh what a conundrum! Surely you can reach out to the head of the department and he/she will rectify the situation. Nurses are a godsend for sure.

Cheers,, June S.

[Sparky95]

I’m so sorry to hear you are having that experience. I’m not sure which Kaiser Permanente region you are in but I do know that filing a grievance is one of the best ways to get resolution as is writing directly to leaders in the organization. I used to work for Kaiser and I know they are working on improving their cancer care and your story is not the experience they want their members to have. You have coverage and they should provide you with the care you need. I hope you get the care you deserve.

Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

Blessings,

Esther

[MaryCos]

Hey there. I have heard some people with MBC say good things about Kaiser, but I think that depends on where you are located. I am in the Baltimore/DC area... and my first 1.5 years in treatment (diagnosed de novo) were a nightmare. (In fact, first oncologist started me on chemo despite me being stage IV and where there was no justifiable reason for this to be my first line; i.e., no visceral crisis, nor have I ever been oligiometastatic.)

Took me a while, due to needing to wait until my insurance was up for renewal (I am currently on Medicaid), but I finally got to Johns Hopkins in November 2021. They have their share of problems when it comes to administrative stuff and scheduling, but at least I feel like I am in good hands medically. Based on what you are saying about your experience... I think you need to get out of there as fast as you can, my friend.

[PJBinMI]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I agree that filing a grievance is a good idea, though not fun. My grandmother had a good experience with Kaiser in Oakland, Ca in the 1950's when she was in her 70s and had endometrial cancer. She was cured and lived to be 102! Medical care has goten better and the medical system has gotten worse! Too big business, $$$ is most important! What a time we are living in....................