Members
can see a Physician when they need one. Kaiser
offers same-day urgent care appointments when you need medical attention. If you need to see a specialist,
your primary care physicians can issue a referral. You can even self-refer
to some of the specialists.
Physicians,
not Insurance Administrators, make medical care decisions. Kaiser
physicians are not required to seek authorization before rendering care. They
are free to discuss treatment options and order tests or procedures that are
medically best for you.
Kaisers
Permanente is a nonprofit organization and puts most of its revenue back
into care for members. They keep their administrative
costs among the lowest of California HMO's. This allows them to
place more than 94 cents of every dollar back into medical services. The
priority is your medical care, not shareholder profit.
Kaiser
employs a unique patient-focused philosophy of health care. Their
team approach to providing care allows members to benefit from the expertise
of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists working together.
The physicians and staff focus on sharing, developing, and implementing
the best clinical practices for prevention and treatment.
Kaiser
Permanente is convenient, where healthcare is accessible. You
can schedule appointments through local appointment lines. And for
Health Plan or service questions, call the toll-free Member Service Call
Center at 1-800-464-4000. You can also obtain valuable health care information
by logging on to their public web site, www.kaiserpermanente.org
Members
can go to any Kaiser Permanente
Medical Center or Medical Office they choose. In California,
there are more than 150 medical facilities available to you. If
you require emergency services and can't get to a Kaiser Permanente
facility, you're still covered any where in the world. Most
of the medical centers have many services at one location, such as primary
care, laboratory, pharmacy, optometry, and radiology, so you don't have
to drive all over town to have tests done or pick up medications.
Kaiser
Permanente is simple to use. At Kaiser
Permanente, you pay low co-payments. And there's virtually no paperwork
for you to fill out.
Many
Kaiser Permanente facilities have extended hours.
The
extended evening and weekend hours at most facilities mean you have more
options for scheduling appointments. That way you won't have to
disrupt your workday.
Kaiser is
one of the most highly rated healthcare organizations in the country.
National
Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)-Kaiser Permanente in both Northern
and Southern California** has been granted Commendable status for exceeding
NCQA's rigorous requirements. NCQA is an independent organization that
re-views the quality of care and services provided by health plans.
Kaiser
Permanente employs many outstanding Physicians.
Many Kaiser
Permanente physicians
have graduated from the top medical schools, and most are board certified.
Physicians are hired through rigorous selection procedures to meet their high
standards for performance and credentialing. Many Kaiser physicians have
national reputations in their fields and teach in the country's most
respected universities. They join the Kaiser staff so they can do what they do best:
take care of patients.
i
rzane@insurancehandbook.com
