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Kaiser Permanente -- What Sets Us Apart?
Kaiser Permanente offers the greatest value at the lowest cost to OEBB groups. But that’s not the only reason to consider us. We also provide high-quality care that’s based on the latest research into what works best. We use a state-of-the-art electronic medical information system that’s the envy of the industry. Our integrated health care delivery system ensures that everyone is on the same team, working together. And our long-term relationship with labor makes us the ideal health care provider for Oregon public school employees.
Quality and Choice
We set high standards for clinical quality, and we continually measure our performance against those standards. But health care can’t be measured by numbers alone. We encourage our members to choose a personal primary care provider they feel comfortable with, because we believe this relationship can affect clinical outcomes. In partnership with their patients, our care providers—not our plan administrators—make medical and dental decisions. And we champion healthy living, not just health care. Our wide range of wellness services, including many online programs and resources, empower our members to take charge of their health.
Relationship
We’ve been serving members in the Portland area for more than 60 years, and we have a long-standing relationship with local school districts. As a highly unionized organization with an active labor–management partnership, we understand the needs and concerns of labor groups. Already, more than 90 percent of school districts in our service area have chosen us to provide health care for their employees. We contribute to our communities in other ways as well. Our Community Benefit program supports many nonprofit community agencies, programs, and events with financial grants and in-kind donations.
Convenience
We currently have 27 medical offices and 16 dental offices throughout our service area, so our members are sure to find one near their home or work. And we plan to add three more medical offices in the next few years. Our full-service primary care offices all include pharmacy, lab, and X-ray services—and often some specialty care—under one roof. In addition, our members can go to our Web site, kp.org, to send secure e-mail to their doctor’s office, refill prescriptions, request routine appointments, and see parts of their electronic medical record—any time, any day, from anywhere.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I choose Kaiser Permanente for my health care?
Quality medical care
As a community of caregivers, our top priority is quality medicine. That’s why we earned a perfect score in this year’s survey by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. It’s why readers of a national consumer publication ranked us the second-best health plan in the nation. It’s why many of our doctors hold teaching appointments at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.
Money-saving discounts
Members can get prescription refills by mail and receive a 90-day supply for the cost of just two copayments. They can also visit kp.org to find out how to get discounts on massages, weight management programs, membership in selected fitness clubs, and other resources to keep members healthy.
Beyond the office visit
Members don’t pay extra for our online services, such as e-mailing their health care team, viewing certain lab results, and ordering prescriptions. Our advice nurses are available by phone 24 hours a day. And our online Health Risk Assessment and healthy living programs can help members take control of their own health.
Teamwork is built-in
Kaiser Permanente health care providers can see a member’s complete health record online. This helps primary care providers communicate with any specialists members might need to see. Our electronic medical records system also helps us do outreach for needed preventive care, such as immunizations and recommended screenings. Our coordinated care and patient registries for chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma, follow best-practice guidelines for better results.
How do you handle chronic disease management?
The primary care team serves as the medical home for most of our members living with chronic illness. When more intense evaluation and management are needed, primary care works in partnership with specialty care.
Members with chronic conditions are automatically enrolled in a care management program at no additional cost.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
Members may self-refer for outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, outpatient mental health, cancer counseling, optometry, obstetrics/gynecology, occupational health, and social work. Generally, for other specialty services, a referral is needed to see a specialist for the first time.
How does the pharmacy program work?
Kaiser Permanente owns and operates our own pharmacies, including our mail-delivery program. Plan pharmacies are located in most of our medical offices, enabling our pharmacy program to use highly automated and integrated information systems. As a result, we are able to track and evaluate all medications dispensed. Our computerized data system allows us to generate patient-specific medication profiles, perform drug interaction screening, compile drug use and management reports, and track inappropriate drug usage. Patient drug profiles are available to physicians at the time they are making prescription decisions.
Kaiser Permanente manages drug product selection within our formulary process. The prescription formulary process is part of Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to provide our customers with affordable, quality health care. The formulary is updated monthly and currently includes more than two thousand drugs, both generic and brand. We fill about 83 percent of prescriptions with generic products, which saves our patients money.
Do I have to choose Kaiser Permanente dental coverage if I have Kaiser Permanente medical coverage?
You’re not required to choose Kaiser Permanente dental coverage, but we think you’ll appreciate the personalized care provided by our skilled dental professionals. We have 16 dental offices in our service area, most of which are conveniently located in or near Kaiser Permanente medical offices. In addition to general dentists, we have our own specialists, including orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral surgeons.
You must have medical coverage with us in order to enroll in our dental program. Our dentists know that your oral health is an important part of your overall health. Our dentists and dental staff work together with our doctors and medical staff—because they are all part of Kaiser Permanente.
When do you plan to open more facilities?
We are in the process of determining sites to open three primary care facilities on the west side of the Portland metro area in the next 18 months. We also have approval from the state of Oregon to build an acute care hospital in Hillsboro. The timeline for building is still under internal review.
Our new West Salem Medical Office, which opened in June, provides routine family medicine and pediatric care. The Brookside Center, a residential treatment center for mental illness and chemical dependency located in the Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, also opened in June.
How do you handle transition of care?
When you come to Kaiser Permanente from another plan, we’ll ensure a seamless transition. That includes helping you choose a primary care provider, transfer any prescriptions, and register on kp.org so you can use our many online features and services.
To discuss transition of care, you can call our OEBB service line at 1-866-223-2375. Alternatively, you can provide your prescription information on a Transition of Care form, available at my.kp.org/nw/oebb. Once we receive the form, we’ll schedule a phone conference between you and one of our pharmacists. Together, you’ll develop a transition plan.
How can I find out more?
For questions about Kaiser Permanente, please visit http://my.kp.org/nw/oebb, call our OEBB service line at (866) 223-2375, or contact your benefits administrator.
Care Away From Home
For information about Kaiser Permanente's Care Away From Home program, click here: Care Away From Home.
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