Kaiser Permanente of California
Kaiser Permanente was founded at the height of the Great Depression by an inventive young surgeon operating a 12-bed hospital in the middle of the Mojave desert.
Today, Kaiser Permanente is the largest non-profit health plan in the United States, serving more than eight million members in nine states and the District of Columbia.
Kaiser Permanente considers itself an “integrated health delivery system,” and as such coordinates all of a member’s care, from preventive care (such as immunizations and screenings) to hospital and medical scare to pharmacy services.
The company is know for being socially progressive: It provides assistance to the uninsured and special populations; supports clinical research efforts; and emphasizes health education.
- a number of HMOs with varying deductibles and co-payments;
- an affordable healthcare plan for uninsured children; and
- a unique “Steps” plan, for those whose income is too high to qualify for federal or state-funded programs, such as Medi-Cal, but can't afford a full-priced plans.
Some of the Kaiser Permanente companies also offer Medicare supplement insurance, which is designed for individuals who want supplemental coverage to fill gaps in their Medicare coverage.
