Press Releases: National
January 26, 2004
Kaiser Permanente unveils Web site offering free access to physician-approved health information for all
Non-commercial site delivers enhanced services from one online location, effectively turns leading health care organization into health information provider
OAKLAND, Calif. – Continuing its tradition as health care pioneer and industry leader, Kaiser Permanente today unveiled a redesigned Web site that serves as a virtual public service, providing all consumers -- whether or not they are Kaiser Permanente members -- with access to trustworthy, up-to-date, physician-approved health care information.
The new Web site also introduces convenient new services and online tools for various groups that need information and/or services from Kaiser Permanente, including members, prospective members, employers, brokers, the news media and job-seekers. The new Web site is accessible via www.kaiserpermanente.org or www.kp.org. Members can go directly to the member's area via members.kaiserpermanente.org.
At the same time, Kaiser Permanente released a new nationwide consumer survey revealing that Americans regard the Internet as a response to the nation's health insurance crisis. The survey of 1,000 Americans found that overall, 62 percent said they would turn to the Internet for help in the event they were unemployed or uninsured.
Kaiser Permanente launched the member portion of its new site last July, giving open access to the general public. The site received the highest accreditation award in the industry by URAC, a Washington, D.C. health care accrediting organization and a leader in the accreditation of health Web sites. URAC acknowledged that Kaiser Permanente's Web site incorporates rigorous standards that protect consumers' interests while providing quality information and services.
"Consumers need a way to determine whether a Web site providing health information is credible," said Garry Carneal, president and CEO, URAC. "When they see the URAC seal they can be assured that the Web site has met our rigorous quality and consumer protection standards in the areas of privacy, security, health content, disclosure, and other issues that are critical for health related Web sites."
Kaiserpermanente.org is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, and follows the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode), a widely endorsed set of voluntary ethical guidelines for developers of online health information.
A Virtual Public Service: Meeting the Need for Timely, Trustworthy Information
Searching for health information online is the third most popular Internet activity, just behind using email and researching products and services, according to the July 2003 Pew Internet & American Life study. But fully half of those who turn to the Web for health advice "only sometimes," "hardly ever," or "never" verify the source and timeliness of the information they find.
The new kaiserpermanente.org site goes beyond that of any other health care organization to address the critical need for trustworthy information. The new site extends Kaiser Permanente's tradition of disease prevention and of making its services -- especially health education -- accessible to the community at large.
The site offers free, non-commercial access to more than 40,000 pages of physician-approved health-related information -- covering about 1,900 topics, 6,000 medical tests and procedures -- to anyone and everyone, with no password needed. The general public can access much of the site's valuable health information by visiting the Members' section.
In addition, a team of Kaiser Permanente physicians, health educators, nurses, dietitians and other appropriate professionals write and review Featured Health Topics, addressing popular health subjects. The Featured Health Topics section uniquely distills the knowledge of the Permanente Medical Group. Site visitors can trust this information because the Kaiser Permanente content team has drawn upon the excellence and expertise of nationally recognized authorities — medical professionals who see patients every day and know how to make their expertise accessible to all.
"Kaiserpermanente.org is designed to provide the information that we all need to take charge of our health and the health of our families," said Kate Christensen MD, Medical Director, Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group. "The better informed we are, the more we can do for ourselves to stay healthy. More and more people are seeking answers to their health questions on the Web. Our responsibility as a pioneering health care provider is to be where consumers are going for assistance -- to provide trusted, up-to-date medical information on which consumers can confidently base their health and lifestyle decisions. Our hope as well is that those who don't have health insurance will take advantage of this resource."
"We've also enhanced our online services through this re-design, making online transactions more convenient and information easier to find, while giving our members and employers better access to their partners in care," Dr. Christensen said.
Key features of the new site
Up-to-date, trustworthy, physician-approved information on topics like colds and flu, asthma, diabetes, weight management and more helps consumers take an active role in their own health.
Interactive assessment tools, called "Health Calculators," help visitors determine if they're at a healthy weight, see if they're getting enough calcium, calculate due date if pregnant and more.
A drug encyclopedia provides detailed information on more than 3,000 prescription and over-the-counter medications, including how to use medications, side effects and precautions.
An enhanced "Members" section enables Kaiser Permanente members to request appointments, obtain prescription refills, communicate with medical professionals and manage aspects of their health plans -- all online, through a secure, private connection.
A user-friendly and navigationally intuitive design makes information quick and easy to find.
Special design meets the needs of people with vision problems
"Just as Kaiser Permanente blazed a trail for the HMO model, so kaiserpermanente.org is showing the way within the health care and insurance sectors, toward the total integration of professional health care services and trustworthy information," said Dr. Christensen. "We're offering a one-stop shop, where it's all centrally located, easily accessible, private and secure."
"The health system generally is woefully behind in the digital revolution," said Helen Darling, president, Washington Business Group on Health. "Kaiser Permanente has set a new standard for which everyone should be grateful."
Kaiser Permanente already has made its online presence felt within the industry, with the members' section of its new Web site winning the Fall 2003 World Wide Web Health Awards for Health Promotion and Disease and Injury Prevention (Bronze Award) in two groups: all adults 21 and over, and miscellaneous consumer. In addition, its previous Web site won several awards over the past few years: the 2003 eHealthcare Leadership Awards for Best Site Design: HMO/PPO/Other Insurers (Gold Award), Best Care/Disease Management Site-Consumer General Health (Silver Award) and Best Site Design-Consumer General Health (Silver Award); and the Fall 2002 World Wide Web Health Awards for Best Health/Healthcare Content Health Promotion/Disease & Injury Prevention Information (Bronze Award) for both its National Web site and its Members Only site, among others.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
