Customer Review - Kaiser Permanente

Feels like an assembly line.

I have had a chronic cough for about 6 weeks. I saw a doctor at KP about a month ago and she seemed to think it was nothing more than a cold. A couple of days ago, I started developing chest pains, and then today at work, I became feverish and extremely short of breath. This was all especially alarming since I got back from volunteering in Africa about a month ago and I was with a population where pneumonia prevalence was quite high.

I immediately called KP to make a second appointment. As I work in Georgetown, I asked to go to a Kaiser center in downtown D.C. The only appointment they could find in the area was a 4 PM appointment in northern Silver Spring. While that is only about 10 miles away, that can take an hour during rush hour, so I left early to plan for traffic. It took me about 90 minutes to get there, and I continued calling Internal Medicine to let them know of my situation and that I was trying to get up there as fast as possible. I called again at 4:25, and a receptionist told me that they closed their doors at 4:30. I was still about 5-10 minutes away.

Needless to say, I got turned away. I know KP has no control over traffic and road construction, but given the nature of my symptoms, I feel they should have referred me to a clinic that was close to where I was. I am now waiting for a call from a nurse to be referred to urgent care, and I realize that since KP has such limited choices, I have to either sit here and wait for clearance to go to urgent care or I have to pay out of pocket at the emergency room.

If you do happen to receive services at a KP center, be prepared to feel like you're in an assembly line. The doctors I have had have been pleasant, but you spend most of your time getting shepherded in and out of lines. I would never recommend KP coverage to anyone- pay a little more and go with a PPO. You'll be more likely to receive the care and attention you deserve.