SoCal Kaiser Question.

My sis has been cleared by the Medical Director and now is expecting a call to schedule her for Options classes.  I was wondering if any of you greived the Options classes successfully and if so could you share your expertise.  Thanks much.

I didn't grieve the Option classes. I found them to be very helpful. In my opinion, in the time it takes to file a grievance or appeal on having to do the classes,  she could almost be done with the classes. Just my 2 cents.

Sorry but the question can be read in two ways.......

If she is denied the classes then by all means, file the greivance and let them re-consider.

On the other hand, if she is not wanting to go to these classes, then no. It is a Kaiser requirement along with most health plans that the person attend these classes. Besides, these classes are to her benefit. It allows her to plan ahead on watch she is going to need, the training provided is AWESOME and prepares her fo what is going to happen before and after surgery......There are way to many benefits with these classes not to attend. And provides a great support network for after surgery along with the other support groups around.

Hope this helps

Have a great day............Rick

Given that there is a several month wait just to start the classes, it would be quicker to go through the grievance process, even though that does take time, than to wait maybe 3-4 months and then take 5-6 months of classes (they are presently 6 months, but I've heard they will be shortened to 5 months). And if your sister wants the DS rather than gastric bypass, the classes will not be terribly relevant for her.
    I have no personal experience with the classes as I am in Northern CA and the process is different here. But I do know that a grievance can be successful.

Larra

 am not a Kaiser patient but know a few.
IMO the classes are not only require but are very very helpful. Yeah theres some BS involved adn its a long time but if read the board you almost NEVER read about a Kaiser patient "not knowing" if they can or ca't eat something or what to expect. IMO more Drs need to do more pre-op education before doing a life alter surgery on someone.

 You have a PM. I for one think the classes are a stall tactic. Most if not all MO people know how to lose weight, we just can't keep it off.

Insurance companies and IPAs should not be the ones to determine if a patient is suitable for WLS. They are a business and do things in the interest of making money. Why would they voluntarily pay for you to take the easy way out, when you should suffer, and pay for being fat?  

Obesity is a disease and not a character flaw.

That being said if a person thinks that they would benefit from the classes and want to take them, then by all means take them. But it should not be a requirement to PROVE that you deserve a life saving surgery. Just because we are fat doesn't mean that we can not be educated about WLS and not know a thing about it going in. I get that we all need nutrition education and instructions on how/ what to eat after surgery but does that take 6 months to learn?  Just my .02. This is one of those touchy subjects for me since I had countless doctors tell  me to just diet and lose weight. Who cares that I'm only 5'1 and over 240lbs and each and every year I picked up more and more deadly comorbidities. Don't even get me started on doctors who tell us which surgery we should have.............Best of luck to your sister. 

This is just my considered opinion...But if your sister is not wanting to do the class then she most likely won't want to do the work it takes to be a successful WLS patient! And if that is the case...why bother? Sorry but this is just my opinion and you can take it with a grain of salt! But, I have worked very hard at this and know it isn't the easy way out but you have to do the work in order to become healthy and isn't that the main reason for doing this and not just your dress size????

JOY

I attended the Options classes and loved them.  At first I thought boring, just give me the surgery.  After awhile I found them very educational.  I only had to wait 6 weeks to get into a class.  I do have a friend that filed a grievance with Kaiser and she did not have to take the Options classes.  She ended up having her surgery in less than 3 months.

Thanks for answering my question!