Nation's Largest HMO: Kaiser Permanente is the country's largest health maintenance organization (HMO). Founded in 1945, we are a non-profit organization with headquarters in Oakland, California and members in 17 states and the District of Columbia. Kaiser Permanente today encompasses Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and its subsidiaries, partners, and affiliates, such as Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Community Health Plan (Latham, New York). The name "Kaiser Permanente" also reflects the enduring partnership between Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and the 12 Permanente Medical Groups nationwide.
Membership (as of 1/97): There are nearly 7.5 million voluntarily enrolled members, most of whom join through employers who pay part or all of the members' monthly dues. Qualified individuals who do not have access to the plan through their employer also may join. The percent of general population enrolled in Kaiser Permanente ranges from a high of 40% in northern California to less than 5% in some of our developing areas. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente includes 4% education, 9% federal government, 59% private sector employer groups, 18% state/local government, 10% individual enrollment.
Service Areas: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington., and the District of Columbia.
Physicians (as of 1/97): approximately 10,000 representing all specialties; 57% are primary care physicians.
Non-Physician Employees (as of 1/97): more than 90,000 professional technical, administrative, and clerical employees.
Group Customers: more than 47,000 employer groups across the country offer Kaiser Permanente's health coverage to their employees.
History: Kaiser Permanente evolved from industrial health care programs for construction, shipyard, and steel mill workers for the Kaiser industrial companies during the late 1930s and 1940s. It was opened to public enrollment in October 1945.
Comprehensive Benefits: Hospital and surgical services; maternity care; diagnostic and lab services; preventive screening; allergy testing; home health care; doctor office visits; well-baby care; immunizations; emergency care; routine health appraisals.
Choice of Permanente Physician: Members of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan are encouraged to choose a personal physician and a pediatrician for children. Members may change physicians at any time. The primary care physician coordinates care with specialists, arranges diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribes medicines or physical therapy, and arranges for hospitalization. Permanente physicians are not required to seek "authorization" for these services.
National Headquarters: Ordway Building, One Kaiser Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612