How to Respond to Kaiser Permanente and How They Managed My Cancer Treatment?
I switched my Insurance from KP to Providence in October 2025 (during open enrollment). Then at the end of October, I was admitted to hospital for sudden back pain. A week later in November I was diagnosed with advanced stage cancer. At this point, change in insurance was done and I could not change it anymore.
For treatment, I was prescribed to do multiple rounds of chemo immediately. The KP oncologist told me it is imperative that I do chemo exactly as planned as my survival depends on it. Unfortunately, a third of my chemo would be in 2026, which I would not be a KP member anymore.
Here is the issue. I repeatedly called KP to get continuity of care so that I can finish the chemo with them on-time before switching to another healthcare provider that accepts my health insurance. Kaiser refused to provide me with continuity of care. They told me even if my chemo infusion appointments are not cancelled, the doors would be closed to me starting next year. They said since I voluntarily switched from KP even though the plan was offered to me, they have no legal obligation to provide me with continuity of care. They even did not provide me with any guidance on how I should schedule care with another hospital. Through a miracle, a doctor friend told us to start talking immediately with other oncology centers. I just emailed several oncologists at OHSU and they kindly replied to me. One of them managed to meet me in December 2025 (I paid out of pocket) and then managed my care on-time in January 2026. I am super grateful to OHSU.
KP put me through a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. To say that I am furious with them is an understatement. My understanding is that they r right that they do not have any legal obligation to provide me with continuity of care. I also managed to transfer my case mid-chemo to OHSU. So, I may not have a legal option to sue them (although not 100% sure). But, I think I should do something about this, so that this does not happen to others. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestion of what I should do?