Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Health Plan in California Receives Top 5-Star Rating for Quality and Service

PASADENA, Calif., October 13, 2016 — For the sixth consecutive year, Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Health Plan in California has again received the highest overall rating for care quality and service, earning 5 out of 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2017.

“These ratings reflect Kaiser Permanente's commitment to our patients and the communities we serve -- a commitment we take very seriously and is our honor to uphold every day," said Ed Ellison, MD, executive medical director of The Southern California Permanente Medical Group. "Our physicians and care teams deliver personalized, compassionate care with intellect and heart, supported by an integrated, safe care delivery system that keeps people well and supports their healing when they are sick. We continually invest in innovative technology and digital tools that allow our members to access care whenever and wherever they need it. The resulting greater connectivity between patients and their doctors also leads to better health and outcomes."

CMS uses the star ratings system to rank Medicare health plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars representing the highest quality. The overall scores are based on care and service quality measures (Parts C and D) across nine categories, including staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service and pharmacy services. The star ratings also measure health plans’ compliance performance.

“Kaiser Permanente’s consistently high ratings demonstrate our deeply-rooted commitment to safe, reliable, quality care and service for our members,” said Julie Miller-Phipps, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region. “Our top rating from CMS, along with our recent distinction as the only health plan in the country to receive the top rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for our Medicare, private and commercial plans, show Kaiser Permanente’s leadership role in transforming health and health care.”

Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans have consistently received high ratings since CMS began awarding them in 2009. One reason is Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care model, which enables care teams and staff to serve members and patients using a coordinated, seamless approach.

Members receive proactive reminders for screening and check-up visits, and have access to view their medical records at their convenience on kp.org, Kaiser Permanente’s member website. Members can use the site to schedule appointments, view current and past labs, as well as order medication refills for home delivery.

This year’s top scores by CMS add to the list of quality recognitions achieved by Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans this year. In the "NCQA Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2016-2017" report, the National Committee for Quality Assurance lists all seven Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans as highest-rated in the markets they serve – for the fifth year in a row. And according to the J.D. Power 2016 Medicare Advantage study, Kaiser Permanente was ranked "Highest in Member Satisfaction with Medicare Advantage Plans” by J.D. Power for two years in a row, 2015-2016.

Along with high-quality care and service, another benefit of 5-star plans is a longer enrollment opportunity. Medicare beneficiaries may change to a 5-star Kaiser Permanente individual Medicare plan through a CMS 5-star Special Enrollment Period from Dec. 8, 2016, to Nov. 30, 2017, without having to wait until the next annual enrollment period. All available Kaiser Permanente physicians welcome Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan members.

Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the star ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars.

Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services created the Medicare star quality rating system to provide beneficiaries with a way to assess Medicare plans based on quality of care and service delivery. Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans have consistently received high ratings since CMS began awarding them in 2009, maintaining high performance in all states in which the health plan operates.