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- From: jw4@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Joel Ware)
- Newsgroups: misc.consumers,pnw.general,uw.general,seattle.general
- Subject: Re: --- HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS ---
- Message-ID: <BzDsKv.BIq@bcstec.ca.boeing.com>
- Date: 17 Dec 92 02:07:43 GMT
- Article-I.D.: bcstec.BzDsKv.BIq
- References: <1992Dec7.121512.622@u.washington.edu>
- Followup-To: poster
- Distribution: pnw
- Organization: Boeing
- Lines: 43
-
- RE: GROUP HEALTH COOPERATIVE
-
- I have been a Group Health subscriber/member for over 15 years, and satisfied.
- It is a cooperative, and there are many opportunities to become involved in its
- policies, governance, and patient care, if you desire to. I have not, so far.
-
- What some say: Group Health won't let you see a doctor, they make you see a
- nurse instead.
-
- What I would say: Group Health has been a leader in de-mystifying and
- de-deifying the physician as the leaders of health-care teams. They
- do make extensive, and I think appropriate, use of nurses, therapists,
- nurse-practitioners, nutritionists, social workers, counselors, and
- others in providing health care. "Seeing a doctor" is not always
- either necessary or productive for the patient.
- Group Health does have a very active program to define, publicise, and
- protect "patients' rights" --- ask to see some informational handouts.
-
- What some say: Group Health won't let you choose a doctor.
-
- What I would say: Group Health encourages members to interview and choose
- between/among their staff to find a suitable primary-care physician,
- and a local GH clinic which is convenient to your residence or work.
- Group Health has hundreds of qualified folks on staff at any time.
- Group Health does not generally cover care by non-Group Health providers
- without prior approval, usually reserved for emergencies or specialty
- care not available at the local clinic or regional specialty center.
- For satellite / remote areas (e.g. Bellingham) I think that they may
- contract with local "preferred providers".
-
-
- Sincerely,
- -Joel.
-
- Joel Ware, IV (206) 957-5155 (W) (206) 783-4784 (H) (206) 957-5050 (FAX)
- Boeing Computer Services, Workstation Software Technical Services
- P.O. Box 24346, Mailstop 7M-HC, Seattle WA 98124
- DISCLAIMER: The above is my personal opinion -- not my employer's !
- --
- Joel Ware, IV (206) 957-5155 (W) (206) 783-4784 (H) (206) 957-5050 (FAX)
- Boeing Computer Services, Workstation Software Technical Services
- P.O. Box 24346, Mailstop 7M-HC, Seattle WA 98124
- DISCLAIMER: The above is my personal opinion -- not my employer's !
-