Is Kaiser an insurance company?

Asked by: Sigurd Mitchell DDS  |  Last update: January 3, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (38 votes)

Kaiser Permanente is the top health insurer in the nation for affordability, customer satisfaction, and trustworthiness, according to Insure.com.

Is Kaiser a type of health insurance?

In California, Hawaii, and Washington, Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. In Colorado, Oregon, Southwest Washington, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, Kaiser Permanente is an HMO and HMO-POS plan with a Medicare contract.

What is considered an insurance provider?

“Providers” can include doctors, psychologists, or physical therapists, and health care facilities, like hospitals, urgent care clinics, or pharmacies. Insurance companies may have different networks for different plans, so make sure you search the provider network of each specific plan you compare.

Is Kaiser Permanente a US-based insurance company?

Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente headquartered in Oakland, California, comprises: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and its subsidiaries.

Is Kaiser a medical or Medicare?

Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans are examples of Medicare Advantage plans. Keep in mind that you need to be enrolled in Part B and eligible for Part A before you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Is Kaiser Health Insurance Good? - InsuranceGuide360.com

37 related questions found

Does Kaiser treat medical patients?

The California Medi-Cal program provides health care coverage for some of the most vulnerable populations in the state and Kaiser Permanente participates in the Medi-Cal program to provide high quality care to enrolled beneficiaries in most counties currently served by the health plan.

Who funds Kaiser Permanente?

External Funding Sources

The Center for Health Research receives the majority of its funding from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality.

How to check if Kaiser insurance is active?

To view your eligibility and the status of your coverage, you must be signed on to kp.org. Once you're signed on: Select “Benefits” from the dashboard. Under “Plan Ahead,” select “Eligibility and benefits.”

What qualifies as an insurance company?

A company that creates insurance products to take on risks in return for the payment of premiums. Companies may be mutual (owned by a group of policyholders) or proprietary (owned by shareholders). (Also known as insurer or provider).

What is the difference between insurance company and provider?

Insurance provides the policy under which you receive care at a discount. The entity that provides the policy is an insurance company which is also as a payer. A provider is an individual, group, agency, hospital, or anyone else that agrees to provide services under their agreement with the payer.

Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

HMO plans might involve more bureaucracy and can limit doctors' ability to practice medicine as they see fit due to stricter guidelines on treatment protocols. So just as with patients, providers who prefer a greater degree of flexibility tend to prefer PPO plans.

Is Blue Cross the same as Kaiser?

Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans are available in eight states and Washington, D.C., and Kaiser uses an integrated care model, so all providers are connected. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a collective of 33 different companies, and star ratings and member experience scores vary among providers.

Is Kaiser a qualified health plan?

Your Kaiser Permanente HSA-Qualified Deductible HMO Plan is not just health coverage — it's a partnership in health. You receive preventive care services at little or no cost to you, and online features let you manage most of your care around the clock.

Can Kaiser bill me my copay?

Copayments, deductibles and other patient cost shares

If you are not able to pay these amounts at the time you receive care or services, you will receive a bill.

What is Kaiser organization?

Kaiser Permanente (/ˈkaɪzər pɜːrməˈnɛnteɪ/; KP) is an American integrated managed care consortium headquartered in Oakland, California. Founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R.

What is the Kaiser Permanente controversy?

Kaiser Permanente, California's largest healthcare provider, will pay the golden state up to $49 million, including penalties, to settle allegations that the company violated HIPAA by improperly disposing of thousands of private medical records, hazardous materials and medical waste, including bodily fluids and ...

Is Kaiser under medical?

Kaiser Permanente participates in Medi-Cal in many counties. This means that, if you are a current Kaiser Permanente member and your situation changes, you may be able to keep your same doctor and continue your care with Kaiser Permanente if you qualify for Medi-Cal.

Can I still use Kaiser if I move to another state?

What should I do if I've moved recently or will be moving soon? Kaiser Permanente offers coverage in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.; however, where you live will affect the type of health care coverage you receive and how much you pay each month.

Does Kaiser cover couples therapy?

Does Kaiser Permanente PPO cover couples therapy? Kaiser Permanente PPO does not cover couples therapy — however, it does cover family therapy, which may be relevant for some clients. Many health insurance companies do not offer couples therapy benefits for their members.

Why is Kaiser Permanente so good?

Kaiser Permanente has one of the nation's largest multispecialty medical groups. Our highly skilled and experienced specialists in oncology, cardiac care, orthopedics, and many other disciplines are among the best in the world.

Who did Kaiser merge with?

Kaiser Permanente's Risant Health completes Geisinger Health acquisition. Kaiser Permanente's Risant Health has closed its acquisition of Geisinger Health, notching the first step on its ambitious plan to form a multisystem, multiregional value-based care organization.

What states are Kaiser permanent in?

A Kaiser Permanente service area is a geographical area where there are Kaiser Permanente medical offices. Kaiser Permanente service areas include all or parts of: • California • Colorado • Georgia • Hawaii • Maryland • Oregon • Virginia • Washington • Washington, D.C.

Will Kaiser pay my ambulance bill in California?

Kaiser Permanente covers nonemergency ambulance services for transportation if, in the judgment of a Plan physician, your condition requires the use of medical services that only a licensed ambulance can provide and the use of other means of transportation would endanger your health.

What is a disadvantage of choosing Kaiser?

Limited plan types: Kaiser offers mostly HMO plans, so most members must work within Kaiser's network of medical providers. Low member experience ratings: Kaiser's member experience ratings, including customer service and getting needed care, are lower than most major providers.