HMO Comparisons
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- Kaiser vs. Other HMOs
- Alta Bates vs. Hills Physicians
- HealthNet vs. PacificCare
- Which HMO Should I pick?
March 2002
I'm looking for any information about the Alta Bates
Medical Group versus the Hills Physicians. We have
PacifiCare and we were in the Alta Bates Group until
I got pregnant and wanted to have a midwife for the
baby's birth. We had a horrible time switching to Hill's
(they cover midwifery, ABMG does not). But we were
successful. (They didn't want to switch us because I
was over three months pregnant. They finally switched
us due to a mistake they made, otherwise they wouldn't
have allowed it, apparently.) Hills will not cover
going back to my midwife for an annual exam, saying I
would have to see my primary care dr. or an ob/gyn.
Are there any benefits to staying in Hills over Alta
Bates since neither one will cover seeing an alternative
practitioner for women's health issues? I just feel
that Hills works even harder to deny services than
anyone else would.
Laura
I don't know a lot about either but a couple months ago
Hills and childrens hospital were trying to decide
wether or not to renew their contract. They did renew
and while talking to the rep at Childrens Hospital I asked
about Alta Bates Medical group and if they were in
better standing with Childrens He basically said Alta
bates were also on shaky ground ( At that time) and that
Alta Bates Medical was part of Alta Bates Hospital
Leading me to believe they tend to lean more towards
ther own hospital and may not continue with Childrens.
I personally would want my child to go to Childrens If
she ever needed to be hospitalized. We had to go when
she was 11 days old and the place is great.
Anonymous
The specialist I see, Dr. Lisa Bailey, and her office
manager, both thought that Hill was better than Alta
Bates (while recognizing that the whole HMO concept
sucks). I have a high regard for their opinion, as it's
a well run office and a good doctor.
anonymous
I can't help but wonder if the information you were
given (about not being able to see a midwife for your
yearly gyno checkup) is mistaken. I was in HealthNet
w/Hill Physicians before I switched to Kaiser, and my
midwife said, ''I'll see you next year!'' Ask someone
else in Hill Physicians. I think you'll get a different
answer. Good luck. (as a data point: my old doctor's
office had nothing but trouble with Alta Bates Medical
Group and was very pleased when I switched to Hill
Physicians. Said ABMG was *very* difficult to deal with.)
Jennie
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