How many news stories have you seen about someone denied a claim

[Sparkly]

14. This might be ONE way Kaiser is better as an HMO for Medicare Part C.

I know it can be AWFUL for a lot of things, including routine care and specialists. The surgery I needed for a highly aggressive, fast-growing cancer was delayed and referred out for lack of Kaiser surgeons in my center. A hospital that specializes in my cancer is 5 minutes away from me, had early availability, and I begged for approval, but was denied. Who knows whether that might have staged my cancer at a less lethal level, and given me years to live.

However, if you're diagnosed and on a plan, the coordination is excellent. The chemo center is great, they can schedule me for my CT-scans, MRIs, echo-cardios, blood tests, consults, etc. at various centers. Unfortunately, I'm equidistant from 3 centers, none of which are very convenient; and the "urgent care" is absolutely useless, at least where I live.

It has its ups and its downs. I've thought of going off of the Medicare Advantage to a regular Medicare plan, but given my condition, the cost would be prohibitive now, and the coordination would likely be insane.

Best to you.