Kaiser Foundatiion HealthPlan, Inc. Kaiser Permanente, stupid slogan about being well and thrive EXCESSIVE NEW OVERCHARGING TO MEMBERS FOR EVEN SIMPLEST SERVICE Los Angeles (BILLING) California

 How many of you have suffered through Xfinity/Comcast non-service and overcharging, and then having to argue with (if you are lucky) someone in their Phillippines or India office (where you will receive no help)?  Well, think of Kaiser Permanente/health foundation as their medical insurance relative!   I tend to go over a year without asking them for anything, and they have no problem with taking money out of my paychecks for nothing.  But when you use them for even the smallest things--5 minute talk only dr. appt that does not even include a stethoscope? and simple blood (lasting less than one minute): my charge was $773, or which Kaiser insurance would pay Kaiser billing 541$, leaving me, their longtime member having to pay $202 out of pocket.  Now, I have done this many times in the past and never had this large out of pocket charge before, but when I asked a local TV consumer investigor, he advised that I should have "made sure about price before hand" rather than assuming by past experience.  But really...for medical insurance coverage of once a year blood and 5 minute office visit?  I should have anticipated a new $202 overcharge ?   It gets worse.  Kaiser has no infrastructure for accountability.  They send you no reply emails rather like Comcast.  My own doctor--who washed her hands of the matter by emailing me she has 'no idea' about prices, did not accept response to her email response from mine.  The Kaiser Medical Foundation phone number:  on hold for 45 minutes during their posted hours, no one ever answers.  You may say, oh come on, 202$ that's not such a ripoff.  But I just imagine if they do this regularly, you probably have a 60 Minutes story on your hands...!   My advice:  don't even think about joining dishonest Kaiser, who actually RAISED their prices rather than lowering them after Obama care.  Run, don't walk, to any other medical insurance provider.!