Contra Costa County Health Plan - Martinez, California

Peter

Contra Costa County Health Plan and the connected systems are a nightmare for so many Americans. I have been dealing with severe jaw-clenching pain since 2015, and it has severely impacted my quality of life. Despite trying every recommended medication and treatment, nothing worked—until I tried Adderall off-label, which provided an unbelievable relief for my condition. However, when I sought to obtain it legally, I was denied.

The reason? My doctor said “uncertain about my condition.” A Wellity Mental Health therapist, “after consulting with her supervisor”, also concluded that I don’t meet the criteria for ADHD and denied me a referral.

I’m so frustrated with this system and its lack of understanding. I don’t need to have ADHD to access this medication—it’s the only thing that’s worked for my pain. Why can’t the focus be on finding a solution? Why get stuck on labels like “ADHD” when the medication is clearly helping me? This isn’t rocket science. I’m just 33 years old, with so much life still ahead of me to embrace and explore. You’re seeing someone in pain and refusing to help—it’s inhumane. The whole system should be held accountable due to its unethical and inhumane act for failing people like me.

Contra Costa County Health Plan ID #: 103832501

Zachery

Everyone's case is different, granted. However 2 years ago while being homeless in the streets of martinez I was rushed to the ER and diagnosed with acute heart failure, with a very low EF. I was given a PCP and a list of meds which I found difficult to maintain due to the lifestyle I couldn't escape. A year later, my health took a turn for the worse and I found myself back in the hospital now in end stage HF. With 10% of my heart left working and many visits and week long stays nothing was taking and I was passed off to hospice care for the few weeks left of what I was told was my life. I was 38 years old. I refused the care offered after being insulted by hospice care staff on my death bed and left the hospital. I started making no excuses and doing everything I was asked to do and going everywhere I was asked to be. Taking all the meds I was given by my cardiologist which was and still is over a dozen different prescriptions per day. I require thousands of dollars of medication to keep me alive and build my strength back. I've had multiple surgeries and recently a top of the line best u can find latest tech ICD implant installed. To this day, I haven't paid a single penny for any of the meds, hospital visits over 30 of them half of were week long admits. Surgical procedures, health care, imagining, physical therapy, ECT. Not a dime. No one handed me a better life or a single dollar along the way. I'm still struggling to get by, but my decision to accept the help and keep in contact, and be open and honest to no end has allowed for contra costa health plan partnered with covered California to literally bring me back from imminent death which I was told really had no return from the depths I had progressed to. But I did. Call it what u want... God, miracle, my own will to change my lifestyle, or simply the system for once actually working for me. Maybe some of each of those but I know none of what I am today would even have been possible without the free health care I recieved. Some shitty Drs, shitty workers, sometimes. But great, professional, caring people on my healthcare team and all the staff that put up with me as well I can thank hands down. I'm not an easy patient to say the least!!! But greatful I am. Screw urgent care! Its a waste of time. If u need real help of any kind either schedule to see ur doctor if u can wait, or take ur ass to any hospital ER u feel like cause u can go to any ER for free 24/7.

Heather H.

They need to do better with the services they provide. Pooja Prakash with A3 , is unprofessional , rude , made false statements, refused to give her name when “treating “ I say this loosely , my child . If I could give negative stars I would . She thinks the rules don’t apply to her , and that she’s above the rules . I told her I would be filing complaints with everyone , and I am. I would avoid calling A3 at all costs because of her

Kevin J.

Only a person behind a window to give you a phone number. There are no people you can talk to about your healthcare waste of time.

Tomasa

Yes is very The service is very poor, but is the only thing we have very sad that United States have a terrible health service. I hope Trump make it better.

Lady L.

95% of my visits here and Care from Contra Costa County health have been excellent. Dr. McDonald, Opthalmology, and his team are fabulous.He even helped me arrange to get a measles blood test and other things which I had trouble setting up on the phone. When you call the advice nurse they are always very helpful. Getting an appointment: leave your phone number and they’ll always call you back, within the hour. And with the online App:MyChart, you can request a doctors appointment and ask questions and they always answer.
The doctors and nurses all seem to be very happy —-always very very helpful. I can’t say enough good things about this health plan and their services and practitioners. it’s really excellent. My husband has John Muir and he Can’t believe the excellent service that I get here. I’m very lucky to have this health plan.

A C.

You pretty much have to be dying in order to get into the urgent care.
I have been having issues with my arm for 10+ years and had a flare up that was so bad I couldn't move my arm. The advice nurse informed me that I 'barely passed' in order to be seen at urgent care. How could I 'barely pass' when I couldn't even move my arm
I don't even bother calling them anymore and pay out of pocket elsewhere. Calling them is a waste of time.

Abraham H.

Terrible terrible insurance company with terrible doctors! Got Tenitis and went to go see a doctor, who took one 2 second look at my nose and declared that i had allergies despite strong objections that ive never had allergic symptoms before in my life and that i had been tested for allergies before.1 month later i went back to see my primary care doctor (irena pyrakova or something close) who didnt even inspect me! At all! I told her my symptoms had not gone away and in fact may be worse at certain times. She ignored all the things i said, and suggested i keep trying anti-histamines despite already having been taking them for a month. Now im just stuck with tenitis, slowly losing my hearing, potentially with some sort infection, and none of the doctors want to listen to me about whats going on. Its criminal. I never ever thought id regret voting for obama and subsequent obamacare, but i also never thought id meet doctors who are unwilling to do the bare mininum.