Copy of Kaiser comes to Santa Cruz
Posted by Pamela Arnsberger on May 04, 2017
Announcements and Reminders
Tomorrow, May 5th, is our annual fundraiser. Tickets are still available at $150. County Parks and Recreation will match the amount we raise, including donations at the silent auction, so come and bid! Dinner will be served at 6:45.
The postponed Stop Hunger Now barrel wrapping event will be this Sunday morning May 7th at the Boardwalk. Check with Doug Deaver for time and exact location.
We still need volunteers for the American Music Festival on May 27th and May 28th. You must be prepared to stay all day. Talk with Doug Deaver or Sandra to let them know if you are available.
Claire announced our community service award grantees. Among them were Cabrillo Engineering Abroad, CASA, Digital Nest, Helping Hands, Kid Power, Learn to Discover, Meals on Wheels, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, The Symphony League of Santa Cruz and many more. Next week will be the awards luncheon. Come and meet the recipients!
Darryl Perkins (pictured below) spoke to us today about the move of Kaiser Permanente into Santa Cruz County. There are three new locations: Scotts Valley, downtown Santa Cruz, and Main Street in Watsonville
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Darryl Perkins spoke to us today about the move of Kaiser Permanente to Santa Cruz County. There are three new locations: Scotts Valley, downtown Santa Cruz, and Main Street in Watsonville. They are also contracted with Watsonville hospital for in-hospital beds including emergency services. There is a future medical office planned for mid-county coming in the next three to four years to serve as a hub for Santa Cruz county.
Primary care, specialty care, lab x-ray and pharmacy will be available at each site. Specialists rotate in and out of Scotts Valley and Watsonville in areas such as allergies, neurology and urology among others. At Watsonville Hospital there will be Kaiser services provided in the same way as at other Kaiser hospitals.
Mr. Perkins shared with us profiles of some of the doctors. Many (over 90%) are local. More than 40 doctors will serve our community. Video chats with docs are available as well as in person and e-mail appointments.
Urgent care is available in Scotts Valley. However, Kaiser generally provides care by getting patients in and out as quickly as possible. It is not a fee for service organization. Within California Kaiser has 8,000 MD’s. Around the state, their goal is better care, better access to docs and more access to care. They don’t offer Medicare Advantage yet but will in the next few years.
For more info go to kp.org/santa cruz.