Kaiser Permanente has the top-ranked Medicare health plan in the nation, according to a joint ranking by U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The December 2009 issue, "America's Best Health Insurance Plans 2009-10," ranked the nation's top commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid health plans based on clinical quality data, member satisfaction and NCQA accreditation scores. The announcement comes as beneficiaries review their choices for the Medicare Annual Election Period, which runs through Dec. 31.
Kaiser Permanente Colorado is the No. 1 ranked Medicare health plan in the country, while six of Kaiser Permanente's eight regions ranked among the top 15 Medicare plans (out of more than 160 ranked). Two additional Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans earned top 10 rankings: Kaiser Permanente Northwest No. 7 and Kaiser Permanente Southern California No. 8. The three other Kaiser Permanente regions that made the top 15: Northern California, No. 13, Hawaii, No. 14, and Mid-Atlantic States, No. 15.
"Our rankings demonstrate the high-quality care and service that our plans provide to our Medicare enrollees," said Jed Weissberg, MD, senior vice president, Quality and Care Delivery Excellence, Kaiser Permanente. "Our performance reflects our outstanding physicians and committed care teams, as well as a cutting-edge electronic health record that supports quality and patient safety. Delivering exceptional care to our members and patients is what we strive to do every day here at Kaiser Permanente."
As both a health plan and health care provider, Kaiser Permanente offers Medicare members peace of mind by coordinating their care among their doctors and the nurses, pharmacists, and other care providers. Kaiser Permanente's unique electronic health record keeps members' medical information in one place, and it is accessible by all their Kaiser Permanente doctors and other care providers, all of the time. Because all Kaiser Permanente health care providers are connected, any change in a member's health situation or a member's care or medication can be seen by all physicians and providers.
"Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare, including Part D prescription drug coverage and built-in wellness programs that help keep our Medicare members healthy and independent," said Herman Weil, senior vice president, Government Programs, Kaiser Permanente. "Our Medicare members also have access to their personal health record, which allows them to manage their health online, and keeps them connected to their health care providers."
More than 3 million members use My Health Manager, Kaiser Permanente's personal health record, to view lab results, refill prescriptions, schedule appointments and securely email their doctors. Data from a recent survey of Medicare beneficiaries using My Health Manager found that 87 percent of respondents were overwhelmingly satisfied, with the online prescription ordering and mail-order pharmacy feature being most popular. For more information on Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Plans, please visit www.kp.org/medicare.
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