The majority of this write up is from the original complaints and the rebuttles written through the online complaint department at the Better Business Bureau Los Angeles. I get a little "ghetto" towards them in my final comments but they obviously can't listen to reason, sooooo...
My Initial Complaint:
I took a 3 month job at UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles. I had Kaiser Insurance for 16 years as an individual before this job with no breaks in my insurance. After 3 months of work at UCLA I decided the job was not for me & I was given the COBRA option so I decided to take it. 8 months after enrolling with Kaiser Cobra, Kaiser sent me several letters stating that UCLA was ending my insurance coverage as of Dec 31. I went to member services to get my individual plan back and Kaiser told me the only option I had was the Kaiser Conversion plan and the rate was more than double of what I was paying as an individual and as a Cobra member. I resubmitted a request online to get my individual plan back and they refused me based on preexisting conditions. Kaiser diagnosed me and treated me for any condition I may have had since they have been my only health care provider for 18 years now. This is my last chance to regain my individual plan back at a decent monthly rate of less than $300/mo with a $25 co-pay. Cobra conversion was over $638/month. I was never told the financial backlash of Cobra prior to taking them after the loss of my job and would have never taken Cobra in the first place knowing what I know today.
Complaint Summary:
Kaiser doubled my monthly insurance rates amount because I took COBRA after a 3 month job.
Resolution Sought:
Give me my individual plan back at the non pre-existing condition rate like I had been paying for years prior to my 3 month job at UCLA Medical Center.
Company's Initial Response - Posted 07/29
Mr. Mandernack was enrolled in an individual Kaiser Permanente (KP) plan from March 1998-June. He was enrolled in various employer group and COBRA KP plans from 2002 to January 1,2208. Unlike group coverage, applicants for individual coverage must meet certain medical underwriting requirements. Mr. Mandernack applied for individual KP coverage on May 15. His application was denied on May 31 because he did not meet certain medical underwriting requirements. The notification letter explains how to request a reconsideration of that decision.
We regret that we will not be able to offer Mr. Mandernack individual Kaiser Permanente coverage at this time.
Consumer's Rebuttal - Posted 08/01
Contrary to their records, since I was able to receive Kaiser Permanente Insurance through my employment at UCSD (May thru December), I then worked at Kaiser Permanente at 4950 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles as a full time employee (January - March) directly after my employment from UCSD without a break in coverage. The only Insurance Kaiser Permanente offered was Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance. I had no other choice as an employee of Kaiser Permanente. I then went back to my individual plan since the monthly Cobra amount for health insurance was far too expensive after leaving Kaiser Permanente as an employee. I have never been so disappointed Kaiser Health Insurance until now... But I still want to keep my primary Dr., Dr. William Towner at 1505 Edgemont St. Los Angeles since he is such a good Dr.
Complaint Details:
Kaiser Permanente
393 East Walnut Center Pasadena, CA 91188
Contact: Kurt Drumheller
Phone: (626) 405-6418
Lance Mandernack
3371 Glendale Blvd #186
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 666-5364
[email protected]
We have closed our file and we appreciate your using the Better Business Bureau. This complaint will remain in our file on this company and will be a part of the report we issue to the public.
If we can assist you in the future, please contact us.
Thank you.
Complaint
Complaint Classification: Selling Practices
Complaint Description - Posted 7/25
I took a 3 month job at UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles. I had Kaiser Insurance for 16 years as an individual before this job with no breaks in my insurance. After 3 months of work at UCLA I decided the job was not for me & I was given the COBRA option so I decided to take it. 8 months after enrolling with Kaiser Cobra, Kaiser sent me several letters stating that UCLA was ending my insurance coverage as of Dec 31. I went to member services to get my individual plan back and Kaiser told me the only option I had was the Kaiser Conversion plan and the rate was more than double of what I was paying as an individual and as a Cobra member. I resubmitted a request online to get my individual plan back and they refused me based on preexisting conditions. Kaiser diagnosed me and treated me for any condition I may have had since they have been my only health care provider for 18 years now. This is my last chance to regain my individual plan back at a decent monthly rate of less than $300/mo with a $25 co-pay. Cobra conversion was over $638/month. I was never told the financial backlash of Cobra prior to taking them after the loss of my job and would have never taken Cobra in the first place knowing what I know today.
Complaint Summary
Kaiser doubled my monthly insurance rates amount because I took COBRA after a 3 month job.
Resolution Sought
Give me my individual plan back at the non pre-existing condition rate like I had been paying for years prior to my 3 month job at UCLA Medical Center.
Additional Information
Date Problem First Occurred:
1/1
Product or Service:
Model Name or Number:
Date Purchased:
Order Number:
Amount Paid: $3816.00
Company's Response
Company's Initial Response - Posted 07/29
Mr. Mandernack was enrolled in an individual Kaiser Permanente (KP) plan from March 1998-June. He was enrolled in various employer group and COBRA KP plans from 2002 to January 1,2208. Unlike group coverage, applicants for individual coverage must meet certain medical underwriting requirements. Mr. Mandernack applied for individual KP coverage on May 15. His application was denied on May 31 because he did not meet certain medical underwriting requirements. The notification letter explains how to request a reconsideration of that decision.
We regret that we will not be able to offer Mr. Mandernack individual Kaiser Permanente coverage at this time.
Consumer's Rebuttal
Consumer's Rebuttal - Posted 08/01
Contrary to their records, since I was able to receive Kaiser Permanente Insurance through my employment at UCSD (May thru December), I then worked at Kaiser Permanente at 4950 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles as a full time employee (January - March) directly after my employment from UCSD without a break in coverage. The only Insurance Kaiser Permanente offered was Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance. I had no other choice as an employee of Kaiser Permanente. I then went back to my individual plan since the monthly Cobra amount for health insurance was far too expensive after leaving Kaiser Permanente as an employee. I have never been so disappointed Kaiser Health Insurance until now... But I still want to keep my primary Dr., Dr. William Towner at 1505 Edgemont St. Los Angeles since he is such a good Dr.
Company's Final Response
Company's Final Response - Posted 08/05
Mr. Mandernack's most recent Kaiser Permanente (KP) group coverage terminated on January 1. On May 15, he submitted an application for individual KP coverage which requires that he meet certain medical underwriting requirements. His application was denied on May 31 because he did not meet these medical underwriting requirements. The denial notice he received explained how to pursue an appeal of this denial decision. Mr. Mandernack may request an appeal by following the instructions contained in the May 31 denial notice.
My Final Response: You idiots had me in the computer as having Cobra even after my receiving two letters from Kaiser Permanente & UCLA Medical Center that my coverages would be ending December 31. I gave you a copy of that letter. So I obviously stopped paying the monthly medical insurance amounts beginning January 1. Well because the MORONS at Kaiser permanente never took me out of the computer, it was saying I still had insurance coverage through March or April where then I was told I had to scramble and send a letter to this certain place to cancel my insurance that was already cancelled by you MORONS at UCLA & KAiser Permanente in your letters. So then that process took too long and "go figure" I missed the little deadline you assholes had on me in order to get insurance at the old cheaper individual plan. You are so unorganized and obviously hire people who can't read and notice the obvious problems that cause your company to have these detrimental consequences on your own customers. DAAAAH, wake up and learn to read UCLA & Kaiser employees and see the messes you keep making.
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