Kaiser Permanente is making several changes to the Individual and Family health insurance plans in 2009. Up until now, rates would only change each year in January. In 2009, if a member has a birthday that pushes him/her up to the next age bracket, that member will notice an increase in premium the month following his or her birthday. Also, there are some benefit changes on the Deductible $1500 HMO Plan and the Deductible $30/$2700 HSA Plan.

Deductible $1500 HMO Plan: For chemical dependency transitional residential recovery services, the copayment will be decreasing from $250 per admission (after the deductible) down to $100 per admission (after the deductible). Certain durable medical equipment is no longer covered. Sexual dysfunction devices were covered at 50% of the member rate per item(s), but they will no longer be covered in 2009. For supplementary formulary list DMI, members paid 20% of the member rate per item, but these will no longer be covered. Regarding prosthetics and orthotics, members paid 0% of the member rate per item(s) for items on the supplemental formulary list; in 2009, these will not be covered.

Deductible $30/$2700 HSA Plan: In 2008, this plan offered prescription drug coverage. Members paid $10 for a 30-day supply of generic drugs after the deductible and $30 for a 30-day supply of brand-name drugs after the deductible. In 2009, this plan no longer includes prescription drug coverage.