Just switched from Kaiser Permanente to Cigna
If this country can put together universal healthcare, I hope it is based off of the KP model. It has its flaws, but it gives amazing access to care because of its semi-closed structure. Near immediate phone or vid consult. If you get a referral, you will receive a same day contact from the dept of the relevant specialist, and your chart follows you were ever you may go. Very streamlined and easy to navigate for patients.
We recently had to switch to Cigna. They have a service called MDLive that their own doctors don't seem to use. Suddenly I am the middle man. I have to find the appropriate specialist from a generic list. I have to contact, schedule and make certain they are in network. Oh but first, I have to arrange for the referral to be sent, and give them 2 weeks to assess before scheduling. "they will contact me" WTF? It is ri-god-damn-diculous. Back to the list I go. Next Dr. same story different bullshit. Just to do a video consult and try to get a consult for 1 referral has been hours online, hours on hold, and multiple conversations with at least 4 different healthcare / insurance industry organizations, and it still isn't booked.
Kaiser spoiled me. There can be long wait times, and it does feel like a meat factory sometimes, but it is professional and efficient. I don't need the illusion of choice to pick a name off a list. I need to be introduced to a competent Dr. so we can get to the issue.