Press Releases: Northwest
March 14, 2012
J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Kaiser Permanente Highest among Health Plans in Northwest Region for Member Satisfaction
PORTLAND, Ore. — Kaiser Permanente Northwest members have rated their health plan the highest in member satisfaction, according to a new study released today by J.D. Power and Associates.
The J.D. Power and Associates’ 2012 U.S. Member Health Plan Study measures member satisfaction among 141 health plans in 17 regions across the country. The ranking considers seven factors: coverage and benefits, provider choice, information and communication, claims processing, statements, customer service, and approval process.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition, which we believe comes from putting the member first in everything we do,” said Andrew McCulloch, president of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan of the Northwest. “From our one-stop shopping medical offices to our online tools, including a new smartphone app for kp.org, to our top-notch physicians, we are committed to providing outstanding medical care in a convenient way.”
Kaiser Permanente Northwest received a score of 742 on a 1,000-point scale — 43 points higher than the regional average. The organization performs particularly well in these key areas:
- Coverage and benefits
- Information and communication
Kaiser Permanente Northwest serves more than 480,000 medical members. Using a coordinated-care approach supported by state-of-the-art electronic medical records, members can easily go online to email their doctors, order prescriptions, check test results, and make appointments.
In 2011, the National Committee for Quality Assurance recognized Kaiser Permanente as the highest rated private health plan in Oregon and Washington, and the No. 21 ranked plan in the U.S. Also, Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare plans were the only plans in Oregon to receive 5 stars (the highest rating) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company providing performance improvement, social media, and customer satisfaction insights and solutions. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, go to jdpower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Kaiser Permanente Northwest is part of America’s leading integrated health care organization. Founded in 1945, the organization serves the health needs of more than 8.9 million people in nine states and the District of Columbia. More than 480,000 people in Oregon and Southwest Washington receive their medical care from Kaiser Permanente, and 197,000 people receive dental care. A nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. For more information, go to www.kp.org/newscenter. Follow us on Twitter at @kpnorthwest.
