Updated Kaiser Permanente Flagship App Makes Managing Health Care on the go Faster, Easier and More Accessible

OAKLAND, Calif., July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente launched today an updated version of its flagship mobile app, featuring a leading-edge interactive design, more native functionality to boost speed and overall performance, and has an ADA-compliant user interface for the hearing and vision impaired. The app offers the same convenient tools available through My Health Manager on kp.org, the health care organization's member portal which enables members to email their doctors, view test results refill prescriptions and more.

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"Our flagship app offers powerful health-management tools that we know our members have long enjoyed through My Health Manager on kp.org and in previous versions of mobile apps," said Christine Paige, senior vice president, marketing and internet services, Kaiser Permanente. "The new design of the app complements those tools, creating an exceptional mobile experience for our members."

The first thing members will notice about the refreshed app is its sleek new design, which makes it easier to access the tools and information needed to manage health from any place at any time. Members with vision impairments can now choose a modified version of the mobile app tailored to their needs.

"We were very deliberate with our design choices for the app," said Brian Gardner, executive director, mobility center of excellence, Kaiser Permanente. "We set out to create something that was functional and engaging that anyone can use easily. Members can access the slices of information that are most important to them in the first few swipes."

Behind the scenes, the app's expanded native functionality makes the Kaiser Permanente mobile experience faster and more convenient by integrating with smartphone technology. Now, when members book an appointment, they can save it to their device's calendar. A convenient map with directions to the appointment location is also embedded into the appointment details screen.

Since its launch last year, the app has been downloaded nearly 600,000 times. It continues to offer members access to all of the time-saving tools they can access through My Health Manager on kp.org — with the added convenience of doing so on mobile devices. Members can email their providers, check lab test results, order prescription refills and manage appointments.

"The previous version of the app recently won a Best in Class Interactive Media Award, its top honor, and a Silver Web Health Award," said Gardner. "The updated version catapults us to even higher levels of user experience, speed and convenience."

In March 2012, Kaiser Permanente launched an updated version of its Every Body Walk! app, which focused on similar simplification, design and performance improvements. The Every Body Walk! app also received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Interactive Media Awards and a Silver Web Health Award. It encourages people to get healthy by walking and maintaining healthy activity levels.

Both apps reflect Kaiser Permanente's leadership in technology-enabled care. Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect® is Kaiser Permanente's comprehensive health information system, which includes one of the largest, most advanced electronic health records available in the United States. The member tool My Health Manager securely connects 9.1 million people to their health care teams, their personal information and the latest medical knowledge, leveraging the integrated approaches to health care available only at Kaiser Permanente. In 2012, more than 32 million lab test results were viewed online and members sent more than 13 million emails to care providers.

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 9.1 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.

Contact:
Ravi Poorsina, Kaiser Permanente, 510-421-0557
Amanda Wardell, Kaiser Permanente, 510-292-0758

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente