Doctor Selection - Need Help

[pozbottom]

Hi,

I've just found out.  HIV+.  New life ahead....

So, here's my dilema.  I can get health insurance.  But what plan, PPO, HMO, Kaiser?  The crucial question is, what doctors are out there that specialize in HIV treatment, that take any of these plans!  I've spent the last couple days, searching, and have found little information.   POZ.COM could really help out the community by having a doctor/group referal system that integrates doctor databases with a blog of peoples experiences so there's information about who's best serving the community.

Help!

I live in San Jose California.  Found the Positively Pace Clinic here, as part of the Santa Clara County medical system.  I really wish to use their services, but they don't take HMO's.  Where do I find doctors that do, that specialize in HIV treatment?  Outside of HMO's there are PPO's, and Kaiser, which could work, but that's totally unknown to me.  I coiuld do either of those (haven't commited to an HMO yet), if I only knew who is the best out there.

So, I'm trying to move forward, but can't find enough information to make a very life important decision about my future health care.

Please reply with ideas and resources!

Thanks so much.

...Doug

[Oceanbeach]

Hey Doug,

Santa Clara County is one of the three counties in California losing our Title I EMA status.  If you reach the point where you may be dependent upon public assistance, Medi-Cal, Medicare all bets are off in March 2008.  I have spent the last two years fighting the issues with the Ryan White Care Act and funding here in Sonoma County.  We (Sonoma County) are one of the other counties losing Title I funds.  This came directly from Kathleen Russell, Chief of ADAP in California. 

In all of the meetings, I have attended over the past couple of years, one thing is obvious.  The Kaiser Permanente Daily HIV Report is the most widely used publication for HIV information in 10 western states.  One of my friends works there in billing.  He has been HIV + for over 20 years and still works every day.  Tim recommends, since Sonoma County is open enrollment, that I go to the Kaiser ER and become a patient on their records.  The cost for all services will be billed to Medicare, from there I can transfer to KP.

Every few years, I get a copy of the marketing material from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  They have some impressive offers but as most employer paid health plans, the share of cost is creaping upward.  There is my two cents... Have the best day
Michael

[milker]

Hi Pozbottom,

you must have lost your original post There were already some answers on here: http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=11748.msg146869#msg146869

You can find your posts by clicking on Show own posts on the left menu.

Maybe the mods can merge both threads?

Milker.