Kaiser, Don't Deny
Patients need access to timely and consistent mental health services
Patient Stories
Kaiser often referred me to support groups
Published Monday, June 24, 2019Kaiser often referred me to support groups. I complained a lot and they finally referred me to an outside therapist who I see locally without delay. I made a fuss and was able to get better treatment that way. But it took a long time, and I was strong enough to continue pressuring Kaiser, making calls to the president of the Fontana Behavioral Health office, etc. I was denied service for Transcranial Image Therapy (TMS), as the Fontana office didn’t refer out for that. I found out that the West Los Angeles office DID refer out, so I went to a psychiatrist at that office (approximately 100 miles away) and was able to get a referral for that treatment for my depression. I’m resourceful, assertive, and rather high-functioning, so I was able to get service after a lot of fuss. But a lot of patients are not. I’ve seen suicidal patients (from support groups) who couldn’t get a therapy appointment for a month or so. These were people who had previously tried to commit suicide. It was heartbreaking.
Tricia
Fontana