Kaiser, Don't Deny

I spent six to eight weeks fighting with Kaiser

My primary care doctor who referred me to the behavioral medicine department at Kaiser Oakland for help with my depression. I was told to call an organization called Beacon Health to set up an appointment with a therapist. I called Beacon with my needs and availability and was told that someone would get back to me with a list of therapists to contact. After waiting 10 days and not hearing back, I called them back myself and was given three names. All three were fully booked or no longer working with Beacon. I called back Beacon as well as Kaiser.  I was able to receive one more therapist name from Beacon, with the same result — they were too busy to see me. In hindsight, I’m really glad my condition back wasn’t more severe. I basically spent about six to eight weeks fighting with the Kaiser and Beacon bureaucracies, to no avail. For anyone struggling with severe symptoms, this could have had grave consequences.

JD
Oakland