Pros Explained
Cons Explained
Third-Party RatingsKaiser Permanente’s Medicare Advantage plans rank very highly for customer satisfaction and quality. Both the CMS and NCQA confer their highest star ratings on Kaiser’s MA plans, and the company took the top spot in the 2022 J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study. Show
Kaiser has eight plans that were rated by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2022. Kaiser’s plans ranged from 4.5 to 5 out of 5, with four of the eight plans earning the top score. Policies AvailableUnlike most other Medicare providers, Kaiser only offers Medicare Advantage plans. It does not offer standalone Part D prescription drug plans or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance. Medicare Advantage HMO PlansMedicare Advantage covers Part A and Part B Medicare benefits, and most plans provide Part D prescription drug coverage as well. Kaiser is known for its HMO plans which leverage Kaiser’s own healthcare facilities and employed healthcare providers to provide Medicare benefits. Kaiser MA plans also offer a host of additional perks that Original Medicare does not, such as coverage for vision and hearing care. However, Kaiser is the only plan provider we reviewed that doesn’t offer non-emergency transportation benefits with some of its plans. Another important consideration when looking at MA plans is drug coverage, especially in the Medicare coverage gap or donut hole. For 2023, 71% of Kaiser’s MA plans with drug coverage offer additional drug coverage in the Medicare gap. During the coverage gap or "donut hole" there is a limit on drug coverage. Once the plan and member spend $4,430 on covered drugs, the member is responsible for up to 25% of brand name and generic drugs. Some plans offer additional coverage in the gap. The gap ends once the member spends $7,050 out of pocket on covered drugs. Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP)Kaiser offers Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) for members who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans have no monthly premiums and low or no copayments for doctor visits and hospitalizations. They also include Part D prescription drug coverage with low copayments and extra coverage for dental, vision, and hearing services. CostOverall, Kaiser offers average value—there are more expensive MA plans, but there are also much cheaper ones. Health plan costs include premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Rates vary by plan and geography. But unlike Original Medicare, MA plans have an out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you have to pay per year for covered healthcare services. Kaiser’s Medicare Advantage 2023 price ranges include:
Customer ServiceYou can speak with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, by calling 1-855-832-0353. Medicare members can call 1-888-777-5536 during the same days and hours. Kaiser also offers live chat, available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on major holidays, available from the company’s support page. If you have a non-urgent question or comment for Kaiser, and can wait up to 3 business days for a response, you can email the company after logging in to your Kaiser account on their website. MethodologyLiterature ReviewWe identified top companies by market share within the industry offering Medicare plans from various business and market insight databases including Statistia, Plunkett, and Gale. We also considered user-generated data from Google to determine public interest and trends in Medicare plans. Data Collection and VerificationOur data was collected from third-party rating agencies, official government websites and databases, and directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. Our sources include: AM Best, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), J.D. Power, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Data was verified to ensure data integrity and accuracy by cross-referencing the records and citation corresponding to each data point with our primary sources. Ratings MethodologyWe calculated star ratings for the quality of each company’s plan types. Factors considered for companies offering Medicare plans were:
How do I file a claim with Kaiser in Northern California?For assistance, call Member Services at 1-888-901-4636 (TTY 711).
Is there Kaiser in Maryland?More than 33 medical centers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, with more on the way in 2021-2022. care—Urgent Care or Advanced Urgent Care—even on holidays.
Is Kaiser available in Las Vegas?Las Vegas, NV 89030 Phone: 702-399-6545 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 2) Henderson 149 N. Gibson Road, Suite H Henderson, NV 89014 Phone: 702-558-6275 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3) Paradise 3900 Paradise Road, Suite V Las Vegas, NV 89169 Phone: 702-369-0560 Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where is Kaiser located in the US?Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente headquartered in Oakland, California, comprises: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
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