Kaiser closing many Southern California clinics to slow coronavirus spread

[left-of-center2012]

Kaiser Permanente announced Thursday it is temporarily closing numerous medical offices and clinics throughout Southern California, citing concerns with the spread of the coronavirus.

Kaiser will suspend or limit services at locations throughout the Southland, including in the Antelope Valley, Downey, Kern County, Los Angeles, Orange County, Panorama City, Pasadena, the Inland Empire, San Diego, the South Bay and Ventura County. All of Kaiser’s Target clinics also are temporarily closed.

“The health and safety of our members is always our top priority,” the healthcare consortium wrote in a statement on its website. “In an effort to limit additional exposure to COVID-19 throughout the community, we have decided to temporarily close or limit services. By doing this, we are able to coordinate care and combine much-needed medical equipment and staff while still providing high-quality care to our members.”

A full list of affected facilities is available here.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-09/kaiser-closing-many-southern-california-clinics-to-slow-coronavirus-spread

[msongs]

1. so if they cut back services will they cut back the monthly fee they charge members? nt

[stopbush]

2. I had a derma appointment scheduled yesterday with KP that turned into a phone appt

with my doctor.

Fine with me as it was a routine “how are things going?” thing. Maybe I won’t get charged the copay for the office visit.

[Laffy Kat]

6. In the one where I work, you are charged a reduced copay for phone visits. nt

[flibbitygiblets]

3. They are switching to televisits for safety reasons, waiving all cost for COVID-19 treatment

https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2020/04/06/kaiser-waives-costs-for-covid-19-treatment-for.html

“We want our members who need treatment for COVID-19 to be able to focus all their energy on getting well, not on worrying how to pay for treatment,” said Greg Adams, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, in a statement. “With the hit to our economy and the job losses our country is going through right now, it’s more important than ever that we don’t allow the cost of treatment to prevent our members from getting the care they need.”

I've heard Aetna, Cigna and a few other health plans are also waiving COVID-19 treatment cost. One day in the ICU can cost tens of thousands

[Sedona]

4. KP in Atlanta did the same thing

I was notified by email this morning

[Laffy Kat]

5. Here in Colorado they closed 21 clinics weeks ago.

I work at one that is still open but they put me in quarantine unit next Wednesday due to a bad cough (asthma) and are making me take PTO time, which I don't think is fair. Union is working on it. Frankly, I am expecting furloughs as early as next week.