Kaiser, Don't Deny

This is an unacceptable way to treat patients with drug problems

I sought help from Kaiser after using drugs for 25 years. Kaiser recently sent me to a program called the Lighthouse. They only wanted me to stay seven days; I pushed the issue and was able to stay 14. They were supposed to transfer me to an intensive outpatient program, but they cancelled my intake appointment and never called to reschedule. I showed up at the office and pushed to be seen. They saw me and scheduled an intake appointment for two days later. At that appointment I was informed that there was a waitlist for the program. I have now been out of rehab for 13 days and am still not in a phase two program. This is an unacceptable way to treat patients with drug problems who are trying to stay clean. If Kaiser cannot handle to number of patients, they should outsource. Bottom line is, our insurance should be meeting our needs and it is not. Mental health is the most important aspect to surviving for drug addicts, and these programs need to be available immediately. It is hard enough to seek out help on our own, and waiting to get help in these situations can be disastrous.

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