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About Kaiser Permanente

Fast Facts about Kaiser Permanente

Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plan, serving more than 8.6 million members, with headquarters in Oakland, Calif. It comprises:

  • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
  • Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries
  • The Permanente Medical Groups.

At Kaiser Permanente, physicians are responsible for medical decisions. The Permanente Medical Groups, which provide care for Kaiser Permanente members, continuously develop and refine medical practices to help ensure that care is delivered in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Kaiser Permanente’s creation resulted from the challenge of providing Americans medical care during the Great Depression and World War II, when most people could not afford to go to a doctor. Among the innovations it has brought to U.S. health care are:

  • prepaid health plans, which spread the cost to make it more affordable
  • physician group practice to maximize their abilities to care for patients
  • a focus on preventing illness as much as on caring for the sick
  • an organized delivery system, putting as many services as possible under one roof

Health Plan Membership, by Region:*

Colorado:
479,980
Georgia:
269,802
Hawaii:
222,594
Mid-Atlantic States (VA, MD, DC):
485,401
Northern California:
3,285,068
Northwest (Oregon/Washington):
472,555
Ohio:
137,669
Southern California:
3,281,915

* as of Dec 31, 2008

Medical facilities and physicians:

Medical Centers:
35
Medical Offices:
431
Physicians:
Approximate, representing all specialties
14,600
Employees:
Approximate, representing technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers
167,300

Operating Revenue:

    2008: $40.3 billion
    2007: $37.8 billion
    2006: $34.4 billion
    2005: $31.1 billion

(for Operating Revenue prior to 2005, consult the Annual Reports at the top right of this page)

Local markets:

Northern California:
East Bay
Golden Gate
South Bay
Valley
Fresno
North East Bay
Stanislaus County

Southern California:
Coachella Valley
Kern County
Orange County
the Valleys
western Ventura County
Inland Empire
metropolitan Los Angeles/West Los Angeles
San Diego County
Tri-Central

Colorado:
Denver
Colorado Springs
Boulder

Georgia:
Atlanta

Hawaii:
Oahu
Kauai
Hawaii
Maui

Mid-Atlantic States:
Washington, D.C.
Northern Virginia
Suburban Maryland
Baltimore

Ohio:
Cleveland
Akron

Oregon/Washington:
Portland
Salem
Vancouver, Wash.
Longview/Kelso, Wash.