I have been a Group Health Cooperative consumer since 1983. I live in Everett and am shocked to find out that if I need a specialist as defined by GHC, to receive services or treatments, I need to get those only in a GHC facility such as Bellevue or Capitol Hill. That means those living up north need to travel up to 1?½ hours to receive care or treatment for a 15-20 minute appointment with a GHC doctor. That is potentially a three-hour round trip.
Not only are co-payments and deductibles going up, but GHC consumers who live north have to deal with additional financial hardship of gas and time. Traveling to Seattle and Bellevue is no longer an easy drive. A DOT report in October noted an increase of 52 to 73 percent drive time from Everett to these cities in the last three years. If you need a driver because your eyes are dilated or you have received some type of mild sedation you have the added problem of finding another available person — doubling the hardship.
These services are available in Everett. GHC states they are in partnership with The Everett Clinic, but you must read, I guess, the fine print — that is only in certain areas and not for a specialist in many cases.
I am outraged and disappointed.
If you have open enrollment by your employer and GHC is an option, check out what it is really going to cost. If you’re choosing a GHC Medicare Advantage Plan, get assurance from GHC that if you need treatment for a cataract, knee or hip repair, where you will need to go. If Seattle and driving are delightful to you, chose GHC. If not, do your homework and don’t be sold something that is costly to you in ways you never thought about. I can’t take a half-day off work for a drive for a 15-minute appointment in Bellevue. I think all north GHC members need to tell GHC that this is unreasonable and unacceptable.
Sherri Pride
Everett
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