Kaiser’s mental health care policy problems
Kaiser Permanente, a major healthcare provider, has recently faced criticism over its mental health care policy. The reputation of Kaiser Permanente is being scrutinized as San Diego County supervisors raise concerns about the adequacy of mental health services provided to patients. This scrutiny is not without reason as numerous medical malpractice cases have been brought against Kaiser, highlighting systemic issues within their mental health care framework.
What the supervisors said
San Diego County supervisors have been vocal about the mental health care policy at Kaiser, emphasizing the need for better patient management time. Management time is used for administrative duties such as responding to emails and writing treatment plans. However, Kaiser recently changed their administrative rules, cutting patient management time in half.
Citing excessive therapists’ workloads, mental health providers at Kaiser are reportedly overburdened, a situation made worse by the recent cut-backs. This has resulted in significant burnout among mental health professionals, exacerbating the ongoing mental health crisis.
Supervisors argue that the root of the problem lies in inadequate hiring practices and poorly structured contracts. As a result, there are not enough mental health providers to meet demand, leaving patients without the care they need. The current system is unsustainable, and supervisors are calling for urgent reforms to address these issues.
Helping You Cope
More can be done moving forward
While Kaiser’s current mental health programs and policies are insufficient to address the needs of patients, critics argue that these problems are indicative of broader issues within the organization. Moving forward, it is crucial for Kaiser to implement effective solutions that prioritize patient care and the well-being of their mental health providers.
In the meantime, Kaiser encourages members to fill out and submit the complaint form on their website if they have an issue, they often fail to admit or acknowledge any wrongdoing, even when faced with well-documented complaints.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice due to the negligence of a healthcare provider or hospital, contact an attorney experienced with Kaiser’s arbitration process and is successful in taking on health insurance companies.