ABC Healthcare Plans

Kaiser Permanente

The company we know today as Kaiser Permanente began at the height of the Great Depression as a small hospital designed to care for the laborers involved in building the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Kaiser was founded on the idea of prepayment, where the insurance company would pay a fixed amount per day per covered worker. Preventative care was also emphasized. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente offers more than 60 years experience. The organization’s primary goal is to improve the health of its members and the community. Kaiser Permanente has proven to be driven by the needs of members rather than its shareholders. Kaiser focuses on keeping its members healthy, rather than just treating illness.

From its humble beginnings in the desert, Kaiser Permanente has grown to be the nation’s largest health maintenance organization. As a nonprofit organization, Kaiser Permanente strives to provide affordable, high quality health care services to its more than 8 million enrolled members in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. Kaiser operates as an integrated healthcare system, with its own private network of doctors and healthcare facilities. Members are offered exclusive access to these doctors and facilities that provide a wide spectrum of medical and hospital services, including emergency and preventative care, screening diagnostics, well baby and prenatal care, immunizations and pharmacy services. Upon approval, new members are invited to choose their new primary care physician from Kaiser Permanente’s extensive network of doctors. Whether a specialist’s care is required or hospitalization is needed, the primary care physician coordinates every aspect of care for their patient.

Kaiser Permanente offers a broad benefits package for a set fee. Coverage is accessible to individuals and families, and also to large and small businesses on a group plan. Those applying for Kaiser Permanente health coverage can chose from a variety of co-payment or deductible plans. Co-payment plans allow the insured to know the out of pocket costs for prescriptions or visits to the doctor. Deductible plans allow the insured to pay affordable monthly premiums in exchange for meeting an annual deductible, also coinsurance when a service is needed.