Press Releases: Georgia
January 22, 2007
Kaiser Permanente of Georgia launches lower-priced plans for individual consumers
ATLANTA —Kaiser Permanente recently introduced a new line of lower-priced individual products that offer consumers options better tailored to their stage in life and healthcare needs. Kaiser Permanente launched their Balance plans on January 1, 2007, with rates starting as low as $55 a month. Prices depend on plan choice and the insured's age and medical history.
Consumers can choose from two types of plans -- an HMO plan or plans with a Health Savings Account option -- with seven variations of coverage. The new Balance plans are priced 10 to 30 percent lower than Kaiser’s traditional 12 Personal Advantage plans currently offered to individual consumers and families. While there are no family contracts available, the Balance plans are sold as individual policies rather than family policies.
"Our research indicates that the two benefits individual consumers want most are office visits and prescription coverage. We took those factors into consideration when we developed these plans," said Diane Dempster, Director of Strategic Marketing and Product Development for Kaiser Permanente.
"Our Balance plans are ideal for consumers who don’t need certain benefits, such as maternity care. For example, consumers do not want to purchase maternity benefits if they are not planning on having a child," said Dempster. The new plans cover office visits for $40 and consumers can have their prescriptions filled for copayments as low as $20 to $30 for generic drugs and $40 to $50 copay for brand preferred drugs. Plan deductibles range from $2,000 to $10,000 and the deductible only applies to certain services such as inpatient surgery, not office visits.
Consumers interested in enrolling in Kaiser Permanente’s Balance plans may call 1-800- 232-4404 - option 4 or visit kp.org/care for more information and to request a free enrollment kit.
Kaiser Permanente Georgia is the state's largest nonprofit health plan, providing health care services to more than 283,000 Georgians through 12 medical facilities in metro Atlanta and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. The health plan has "Excellent" ratings for both its HMO and Medicare products from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, placing it among the best health plans in the nation and region in providing quality care and service.Kaiser Permanente is the state of Georgia's largest nonprofit health plan, serving the health care needs of Atlanta metro area residents for 22 years. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc. currently provides comprehensive health care services to approximately 275,000 members through 15 medical facilities in a 28-county service, and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. The Health Plan provided more than $5 million in community benefit programs and services.