Kaiser Permanente Leads the Nation with Six 5-Star Medicare Health Plans out of 11 for 2013

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today that six Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans earned five stars for 2013, of only 11 nationwide with parts C and D, the highest overall rating for quality and service. Kaiser Permanente's 5-star Medicare plans include those operating in California, Northwest, Hawaii, Colorado, Ohio and Mid-Atlantic States. Kaiser Permanente's Georgia region is the top-rated plan in its area and has 4.5 stars.

Each year through the Medicare Star Quality Ratings system, CMS rates Medicare health plans (both parts C and D) on a scale of one to five stars, with five stars representing the highest quality. The overall scores are based on more than 50 care and service quality measures across five categories, including staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and pharmacy services. 

"We are proud to earn the highest ratings for quality because it reflects Kaiser Permanente's commitment to achieving the best health outcomes for our members," said Jed Weissberg, MD, senior vice president, Hospitals, Quality and Care Delivery Excellence, Kaiser Permanente. "We offer the tools and services necessary to help them maintain total health. Our members have the ability to make online appointments, get lab results electronically, access to their complete health records, and email their personal physician directly and securely."

Kaiser Permanente is the highest rated health plan in all states it serves, except Washington, where it is tied with Group Health Cooperative.  Last year, four Kaiser Permanente Medicare 2012 plans received 5-star ratings­ ­­–­ California, the Northwest, Colorado and Hawaii. This year, both Kaiser Permanente's Mid-Atlantic States and Ohio regions were added to the short 5-star list.

Kaiser Permanente has participated in the Medicare program since its inception in 1965, and has a long history of providing high-quality care and service to its members.

"At Kaiser Permanente, improving the health of our members is our calling.  Patients and their physicians come together to make personalized treatment decisions that will help patients get and stay healthy," said Amy Compton-Phillips, MD, associate executive director for quality at The Permanente Federation. "These ratings validate the best practices we use to provide coordinated, compassionate care that helps our members have full and active lives."

In addition to receiving high-quality care and service, 5-star excellence means that Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in a 5-star plan from December 8, 2012, to November 30, 2013, without having to wait until the next annual enrollment period.

Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings and Kaiser Permanente's Medicare plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars, medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. Kaiser Permanente California includes its Northern and Southern California regions. Northwest includes Oregon and Washington. Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States includes Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 9 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/newscenter.

For more information:
Catherine Hylas Saunders, [email protected], 202.585.2603
Diana Yee, [email protected], 510.271.6671

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente