Secondary Health Insurance
October 16, 2021
Open Enrollment 2022
October 18, 2021


Kaiser Permanente Insurance Review

Why is Kaiser Permanente Insurance so highly rated?

Insurance plans with consistently high ratings are available in a few states.

Kaiser Permanente has regularly gotten high marks for its individual insurance and Medicare programs, frequently placing considerably ahead of competitors. It features a one-of-a-kind business model in which insurance and medical treatment are managed by the same firm.

This is ideal for people who want a simplified experience between health insurance and health care, but these policies are not suitable for those who prefer flexibility in selecting their health care providers.



Consider Our Ideas.

Kaiser Permanente has consistently been named one of the best healthcare providers in the country. Plans are rated 4 to 5 stars on both HealthCare.gov and Medicare.gov, which is consistently higher than many other big insurance providers.

Because the firm only operates in a few states, many people may be unable to access these plans. However, if you reside in an area where Kaiser operates, this insurance may provide you with excellent coverage at a low cost.

Kaiser insurance is not the lowest insurance plan available, but it is reasonably priced. The quality of care provided by Kaiser's integrated system, on the other hand, distinguishes it from the competitors.

The insurance coverage is fully integrated with Kaiser's hospitals and medical centers. This simplifies the claims and coverage procedure. It also contributes to Kaiser's ability to offer you inexpensive plans by keeping its expenses low.

The disadvantage of Kaiser health insurance is that, with the exception of urgent care or emergencies, most plans do not provide out-of-network coverage. If you prefer a more flexible insurance plan, we recommend Anthem or BlueCross BlueShield, which are approved by 90% of doctors across the US.


Get The Best Health Insurance in your Location


Where Can I Find Kaiser Permanente?

Kaiser Permanente provides health-care plans in eight states and the District of Columbia. This covers locations along the Pacific Coast, the Mid-Atlantic, and beyond. If Kaiser isn't accessible in your state, look into one of our other top-rated health insurance providers.

•California

•Colorado

•The District of Columbia.

•Georgia

•Hawaii

•Maryland

•Oregon

•Virginia

•Washington

Kaiser Permanente may be limited to a few states. However, due to its substantial market position in certain places, it is still regarded as a big insurance business. Kaiser is one of the top three largest individual health insurance carriers in each region where it operates, according to enrollment data.

Options For Health Insurance Plans

Kaiser Permanente provides health insurance to all types of customers. Individual/family, Medicare, Medicaid, and group health insurance are all included.

The majority of Kaiser insurance policies are health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, which exclusively cover in-network treatment and have lower monthly premiums. This implies that your medical coverage is restricted to Kaiser's 700 medical offices and 39 hospitals. You must also choose a primary care physician who may refer you to specialists as needed.

One major source of worry for people with continuing health issues is that this combination of insurance and health care restricts access to experts who are not associated with Kaiser. Remember that Kaiser may have similar providers who are likewise highly rated.

For regular travellers, the narrow network might also be an issue. Only urgent care and emergency room services are covered when you are away from home at institutions that are not connected with Kaiser. In addition, the business provides a specialized travel line to assist you with situations, coverage, or preapproval while traveling to another Kaiser service area or outside of the service region.

Plans For Individuals And Families

Kaiser health insurance policies can be purchased directly from the insurance company or through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Obamacare). Purchasing insurance through the marketplace, on the other hand, gives you access to health insurance tax credits, which can reduce the amount you pay each month for insurance.

All plans adhere to health insurance regulations, providing you with free preventive care and screenings as well as financial safeguards such as an out-of-pocket maximum. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum are the metal levels for plans. They're also divided into the three insurance classifications listed below, so you may select a Bronze Deductible plan, a Gold Copayment plan, or a mix of the two.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): These high-deductible plans are Kaiser's most affordable options. They allow you to open a health savings account in order to avoid paying taxes on the money you'll use to pay for doctor's appointments and other healthcare services.

Deductible plans: These plans work similarly to standard insurance in that you pay for the majority of healthcare services out of pocket until your spending hits the deductible amount. Then you'll pay the coinsurance rate that your plan specifies.

Co-payment plans: The monthly charges for these Gold and Platinum category plans are expensive. They do not, however, have a deductible. Because you only pay a copayment for approved services, these policies can help you save money if you anticipate significant medical expenditures.


Medicare

Kaiser Permanente also provides Medicare plans, which can be purchased directly from the business or through Medicare.gov.

Plan Alternatives:

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans to supplement Original Medicare coverage by providing additional cost-saving benefits and prescription drug coverage. These bundled plans can help you simplify your health care coverage, and Kaiser has been rated one of our top Medicare Advantage providers.

•Kaiser defines its Part C plans as Medicare Advantage Plus plans, which include coverage for dental care, hearing aids, and eyeglasses.

•Prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D) are stand-alone plans for those who do not want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Kaiser is also a standout in this category, and it has been designated one of our top Medicare Part D providers.

Kaiser does not provide Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance; however, people in need of these policies can select from our best Medicare Supplement providers, which include UnitedHealthcare and Aetna.

Medicaid And Low-Income Assistance Programmes

Kaiser Permanente engages in Medicaid programmes as well. Kaiser may manage the plan given by your government agency for persons who qualify for low-income health insurance.

Furthermore, Kaiser has a Charitable Health Coverage program that gives coverage and access to care to people who are not qualified for public or commercial health insurance.

There is also a Medical Financial Assistance program that offers free or discounted health care services to low-income, uninsured, and underserved individuals.

Group And Employer Insurance

Kaiser may provide a broader range of plan alternatives for group insurance than is offered to individual customers. Some locations, for example, provide preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, which give greater medical coverage outside Kaiser's facilities and doctors.

Please keep in mind that these PPO plans may not be as well-rated as Kaiser's HMO plans. In Washington state, for example, we do not suggest the Kaiser Options PPO plan due to low customer satisfaction.

Coverage, Member Resources, And One-Of-A-Kind Features

In two respects, Kaiser Permanente's health-care coverage stands out:

1.Its combination of health insurance and health care makes tracking expenses and managing claims easier.

2.The comprehensive preventive care programme includes screenings, health resources, lifestyle initiatives, and health seminars

Women's health services

Mental health

Addiction and recovery

Chiropractic care

Wellness coaching

Prescription delivery

Dental care (add-on)

Vision care (add-on)

Telehealth over phone, video or email

Online access to health records including test results, doctor's notes and vaccination records

A cost lookup tool

The ability to schedule or cancel appointments

Health insurance management including tracking your deductible


There are other fitness tools available, such as cheap gym memberships, health calculators, and subsidized massage therapy.

Kaiser Insurance Premiums

Kaiser insurance premiums range from $300 to more than $1,000 per month, depending on criteria like your age and plan coverage level.

Kaiser Permanente Insurance Costs An Average Of $600 Per Month.

 

Metal tier

Age 21

Age 40

Age 60

Bronze

$292

$373

$791

Silver

$364

$464

$986

Gold

$415

$529

$1,123

Platinum

$456

$583

$1,237

 

Based on available policies in California.

Keep in mind that these are the base prices for people who pay full price for health insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies can help you decrease your monthly insurance payments, and you can qualify for these health insurance reductions based on your income and family size.

When compared to all other insurance providers, the cost of Kaiser health insurance is typically approximately average, although it is less expensive than other big insurance firms such as BlueCross BlueShield.

The cost of Kaiser health insurance varies depending on where you live. California, Washington, and Oregon all offer similarly priced plans on the West Coast, with Oregon having the lowest prices of the three.

On the East Coast, the adjacent states of Virginia and Maryland have considerable cost differences. A 40-year-old might spend 54% more per month for Kaiser insurance in Virginia than in Maryland. Some of the disparity might be attributed to differences in pricing patterns between the two states.

Where is Kaiser Permanente the cheapest?

State

Monthly cost

Maryland $351
Colorado $397
Oregon $429
Washington $443
California $464
Hawaii $481
Georgia $487
Virginia $539

Average cost for a 40-year-old purchasing a Silver plan.

Customer Feedback And Concerns

Kaiser Permanente earns top-tier ratings across a variety of criteria, indicating that it is a firm that provides comprehensive coverage as well as excellent customer service.

According to J.D. Power, Kaiser Permanente ranks first among insurance companies in terms of customer satisfaction in each of the markets in which it operates. The scores were considerably ahead of the next-closest insurance business, demonstrating that it had a competitive advantage in offering excellent customer service. J.D. Power recognized Kaiser as having the highest customer satisfaction for Medicare Advantage clients in separate research.

Plans are highly rated in both the individual and Medicare marketplaces. Individual and family plans are rated 4 to 5 stars overall. Kaiser stands out especially for its scores in diabetic treatment, prenatal care, preventative services, and plan administration, which includes customer service. Medicare Part D plans have an average rating of 4.5 to 5 stars, considerably higher than the other major insurance carriers, while Medicare Part C plans have an average rating of 4 to 5 stars.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance gave Kaiser health plans high overall scores (NCQA). The only exception is Kaiser Options, a PPO plan in Washington state that got a modest performance rating of 3.5. All others got a 4.0 or higher performance rating, with plans in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia getting the maximum possible rating of 5 stars.

Similarly, Kaiser has a favorable rating from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), with the national business earning 0.77 on the complaint index, which is 23% lower than the national average. The most prevalent issue is claimed processing delays. While delays aren't ideal, they're a lot better than Anthem's high percentage of claim denials.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is Kaiser A Reputable Insurance Provider?

Kaiser Permanente is a top-rated health insurance company, with high marks for customer service, preventative care, and overall plan experience.

Does Kaiser Provide HMO Or PPO Plans?

The majority of Kaiser health insurance plans are HMO plans, which means your monthly payments will be cheaper, but your health coverage will be limited to in-network physicians and facilities. There may be some PPO plans available, but they are typically not as well-rated as Kaiser's HMO plans.

What Is The Monthly Cost Of Kaiser Insurance?

The typical monthly cost of Kaiser Permanente insurance will be greatly influenced by your state of residence. Kaiser costs for health insurance, for example, ranging from $351 in Maryland to $464 in California. Health insurance subsidies may lower the amount you pay if you buy insurance through the marketplace.

Is Kaiser Able To Provide Obamacare Insurance Plans?

Yes, Kaiser Permanente insurance is available via the Obamacare Health Insurance Marketplace. Kaiser plans are not offered nationally; instead, they are exclusively available to residents of the states where the firm operates.

Is It Possible To Add Dental Coverage To My Kaiser Health Insurance?

Yes, during the open enrollment, you may add dental insurance to your Kaiser medical insurance. Depending on your region and circumstances, you can sign up directly via Kaiser Permanente or through a marketplace dental plan.

Sources And Methodology

Cost comparisons were created using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' 2021 public use data (CMS). The calculations took into account the provider, location, age, and plan tier. The ranking data came from different CMS public use files.

Provider marketing materials, HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, J.D. Power, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners are also additional sources (NAIC).