If you are enrolled in a Kaiser Permanente California group plan or you are considering applying, you may use the links below to download the Plan Highlights. Kaiser Small Business Plans come in three basic types: Copayment Plans, Deductible Plans, and Deductible Plans with HSA.

The Copayment Plans have no deductible and tend to offer the richest coverage. The lower the copayment, the richer the coverage and the higher the premiums. Small groups often find that our most popular group plan, the $30 Copayment Plan, has a very nice balance of quality coverage and affordable premiums.

Our Deductible Plans offer middle-of-the-road coverage and some benefits, such as doctor visits and prescription drug coverage, before the deductible is met. The Deductible Plans with HSA allow you to open a Health Savings Account and deduct qualified medical expenses from your federal taxes. The $0/$1500 Deductible Plan with HSA has become increasingly popular because it offers low monthly premiums and 100% coverage after the deductible is met.

Click on the links below to download the Plan Highlights for these plans:

Copayment Plans

Standard Deductible Plans

Deductible Plans with HSA

Posted: June 24th, 2008 under California Group.
Comments: none

If you’re on a Kaiser Permanente California Group Plan that has a deductible, your deductible will reset on January 1, 2009. We’re half way through 2008 and it’s time to be considering the effect this will have on your pocket book. If you’re considering having a big surgery, you may want to have it before or after January 1^st depending on your situation.

Scenario 1: I’ve already met my deductible.

If you’ve already met your deductible, you would want to have your surgery before January 1^st to save money on your surgery.

Scenario 2: I haven’t met my deductible.

If you haven’t met your deductible yet, I recommend waiting until after January 1^st. This way you end up meeting your deductible early in 2009. Then you have the rest of the year to save on healthcare costs because your deductible has already been met.

My Dad learned this lesson the hard way. He hadn’t met his deductible yet and he scheduled a surgery for mid-December. He hit his deductible with that surgery only to have the deductible reset a couple weeks later. Then he had to reach the deductible all over again for his coverage benefits to kick in.

Posted: June 24th, 2008 under California Group.
Comments: none

Most Kaiser Permanente plan changes for Individuals and Families can be made at any time during the year. Kaiser Open Enrollment in January is the recommended time if you want to make changes to your coverage, but it is not absolutely necessary to wait for Open Enrollment. Changes, such as upgrading or downgrading plan types and removing dental, can be done at any time during the year. To add dental, you will need to wait for Open Enrollment. Continue reading to find out about upgrading/downgrading plans and adding/removing dental.

Upgrading Plan Coverage

If you wish to switch to a richer plan, you will need to submit a regular application like you did when you first applied. This application will go through medical underwriting and be approved or denied. If you are denied the richer plan, you will continue to have coverage on your current plan. To upgrade your coverage, click Apply Online or Download a Paper Application. If you are not sure what constitutes an upgrade and a downgrade, refer to the directions in the Plan Change Form mentioned below. For live support with upgrading plan coverage, call 1-877-752-4737.

Downgrading Plan Coverage

Dropping down to a plan with lesser coverage (and usually lower premiums) does not require going through medical underwriting. Simply complete and submit the one page Plan Change Form.

Adding/Removing Dental 

You can remove your dental coverage at any time, but if you’d like to add dental, you will need to do so during Open Enrollment. To add or remove dental, call member services at 1-800-464-4000.

Posted: June 24th, 2008 under California Individual.
Comments: none

If you are between jobs, going to move in the near future, or for some other reason you need short term health insurance, you may with to choose Kaiser Permanente. KP Individual and Family Plans may be used as short term health insurance. Kaiser membership is on a month to month basis. As long as you apply by the 23rd of the month, your coverage can begin on the first of the next month. Keep it for a month, two months, three months or whatever suites your needs and then cancel at any time. If you cancel in the middle of the month, your coverage will continue to the end of that month. If you want to get medical insurance quotes or if you have questions related to enrollment, call 1-877-752-4737 or click Individual and Family Health Insurance.

Posted: June 23rd, 2008 under Kaiser Permanente.
Comments: none

The traditional plan for Kaiser Permanente California Individuals and Families is the $25 Copayment Plan. At one time this was the only plan offered to individuals in California. Currently it is still the most popular Kaiser health plan. This plan offers competitvely priced, quality healthcare coverage and is fairly easy to understand.

The plan is named after the copayment price for doctors visits. Kaiser members on this health insurance plan pay $25 for primary care visits. There is no deductible, so all medical care is covered with varying copayments from the beginning. Prescription drugs are $10 for generic and $35 for brand name. Hospitalizagion is a package deal which includes room and board, surgery, anesthesia, X-rays, lab tests, and medications all for a copayment of $200 a day. The Out-of-Pocket Maximum is $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families, meaning that if you or your family had a high-utilization year, your out-of-pocket expenses (not including your monthly premium) would max out at $2,500 for one person and $5,000 for a family.

The $25 Copayment Plan offers traditional Kaiser Permanente HMO coverage that makes sense to most people. Click $25 Copayment Plan to view more details about this plan. 

Posted: June 21st, 2008 under California Individual.
Comments: none

First off, if your small business is located in the Atlanta, Georgia area, Kaiser Permanente is the best bet for you. Switch to Kaiser and you WILL save money! Get Kaiser Georgia Group Health Insurance Quotes, and consider whether your are looking for Multi-Choice or HMO coverage and whether your want cheap, middle-of-the-road or rich coverage. When choosing a plan for your small business, you have two main questions to ask yourself:

1.      Multi-Choice or HMO?

If you want the flexibility to use doctors outside of Kaiser Permanente, the Multi-Choice Plans are best for you. 66% of Kaiser GA groups are on multi-choice plans. This is a great way to go because you can try out the HMO coverage, visit doctors in the PHCS Network, and you can receive care from Out-of-Network providers. The choice is there and rates are very competitive. On the other hand, Kaiser’s HMO plans offer great coverage at some of the lowest group health insurance prices available in

2.      Cheap, Middle of the Road or Rich Coverage?

Now, that you’ve decided whether you want HMO or Multi-Choice coverage, the next step is to decide how rich of coverage you want. Obviously, the richer the coverage the higher the monthly premiums. What fits your business model? If you’re a starting business with a lower budget, you may want to start of with one of the less-expensive plans. If you have high-end employees that you have to wine and dine to make them stick around, you’ll definitely want a richer plan. Below are our recommendations depending on whether you want a cheap plan, middle-of-the-road coverage, or richer benefits:

Level of Coverage                          HMO                             Multi-Choice

I’m going cheap:                       HMO Plan H                    Multi-Choice Plan I

Middle-of-the-Road:             HMO Plan D or E        Multi-Choice Max Plans D or E           

Give me the rich plan:                HMO Plan A                   Multi-Choice Plan B

Posted: June 20th, 2008 under Georgia Group.
Comments: none

Kaiser Permanente plans offer varying coverage related to prenatal care and child birth. Higher coverage plans tend to be the best choice for those considering having a child, especially for those in California. Below are some things to consider depending on whether you are looking for coverage in California or Georgia and depending on whether you want individual or group coverage. If you have additional questions related to Kaiser Permanente maternity coverage, please call 1-877-752-4737.

We recommend the $25 Copayment Plan for those interested in pregnancy related benefits. This plan offers the highest coverage for maternity. Your savings when going through pregnancy and childbirth will more than make up for the additional cost in premium. If you are applying as a family, you may wish to get lower-cost coverage for the rest of the family. Just be sure to get the $25 Copayment Plan for the individual who will be carrying a child. Get an Individual and Family Health Insurance Quote and decide which plan is right for you and your family.

California Group Maternity Coverage

All of the California Small Business Copayment Plans offer exceptional coverage for maternity/prenatal care.  Scheduled prenatal visits and the first postpartum visit are $0 for all plans except the $50 Copayment Plan where there is a charge of $15. Where you need to really pay attention is hospital care. Prices range from $0 per day on the $5 Copayment Plan and go up to $500 a day on the $50 Copayment Plan. Childbirth, in some exceptional cases, can be an in-and-out procedure, and in other instances it may mean days at the hospital. Get a Group Health Insurance Quote and compare premiums with hospitalization copayments in order to see which plan is right for you.

Georgia Individual Maternity Coverage

Any of the regular HMO plans will work. These plans include the Premier Plan, Plan 500, Plan 1000, Plan 2000, Plan 3000, and Plan 5000. All these plans offer the same coverage for maternity. Maternity charges are $1,000 for ob/gyn/midwife services (prenatal, postnatal and delivery). There is a $2,000 charge for hospital delivery. Other charges may apply especially if there are complications with the birth. Whichever of these plans you choose, you’re looking at a minimum of a $3,000 to have a baby. Click Individual and Family Health Insurance Quote and choose the plan that is right for you and your family. If you qualify for group coverage, you may want to consider that because the Georgia group plans have richer maternity coverage.

Georgia Group Maternity Coverage

All the Kaiser Georgia HMO Plans cover maternity (obstetrician/midwife) at 100%. Your main concern is going to be the hospitalization charges you will incur at delivery. We recommend the HMO A Plan because it has the lowest charge for hospitalization, only $200 per admission. On the next richest plan, the HMO B Plan, the copayment for hospital admission is $500. Get a Group Health Insurance Quote and choose coverage for your small group.

Note: If you are currently pregnant, you will be automatically denied Individual and Family coverage. However, if you own your own business or are self-employed, you may qualify for group coverage.

Posted: June 19th, 2008 under Kaiser Permanente.
Comments: 1

The Kaiser Permanente deadline for California is June 23rd if you would like to Enroll for a Kaiser Permanente Individuals and Families Plan. Find rates as low as $63 a month. Choose from one of our Copayment Plans which offer first dollar benefits. Kaiser Permanente’s standard $25 Copayment Plan is still the most popular, but plans such as the $1500 Deductible Plan are increasing in enrollment due to cost savings on monthly premiums and benefits such as doctor visits and prescription drugs which are covered before the deductible. Kaiser California is also offering three deductible plans with HSA. These HDHP (high deductible health plans) offer low monthly premiums and the option to open a health savings account. For more information, call 1-877-752-4737.

Posted: June 19th, 2008 under California Individual.
Comments: none

Kaiser Permanente members who are signed up for My Health Manager give Kaiser Permanente a 95% approval rating. Why is that? These members have availed themselves to Kaiser Permanente’s many online resources. These resources include the ability to email your doctor. Doctors usually respond to emails within 24 hours. Many patients claim their doctors get back to them within an hour our two. Often, emailed responses from the doctor save you trips to the clinic and keep you from having to miss work. You can also view your medical records online. Stay abreast of what’s going on with your health so you can actively be an advocate for yourself and know what’s going on with your situation while you communicate with medical professionals. Register online for My Health Manager today and you’ll be able to make appointments online, avail yourself to the resources previously mentioned and a myriad of other helpful resources that will help you live well, stay well and thrive! 

Posted: June 19th, 2008 under Kaiser Permanente.
Comments: none

Kaiser Permanente members who are signed up for My Health Manager give Kaiser Permanente a 95% approval rating. Why is that? These members have availed themselves to Kaiser Permanente’s many online resources. These resources include the ability to email your doctor. Doctors usually respond to emails within 24 hours. Many patients claim their doctors get back to them within an hour our two. Often, emailed responses from the doctor save you trips to the clinic and keep you from having to miss work. You can also view your medical records online. Stay abreast of what’s going on with your health so you can actively be an advocate for yourself and know what’s going on with your situation while you communicate with medical professionals. Register online for My Health Manager today and you’ll be able to make appointments online, avail yourself to the resources previously mentioned and a myriad of other helpful resources that will help you live well, stay well and thrive! 

Posted: June 19th, 2008 under Kaiser Permanente.
Comments: none