Staying informed can help you feel empowered and well balanced in life. Here are some answers to questions you may have while considering Kaiser Permanente.
Q. How is Kaiser Permanente different from other health plans?
A. At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that health is about more than just treating illness—it's about helping you achieve balance in mind, body, and spirit. That's why we offer you resources, tools, and people to help you get and stay healthy.
My health manager* lets you take care of your health online by e-mailing your doctor’s office, ordering prescription refills, requesting routine appointments, and more.
Our unique integrated health care system means you benefit from a team of doctors, nurses, and specialists who work together to ensure the best possible outcomes. So no matter what stage of life you're in, we're here to help keep your life in balance.
* Some services not available in all areas.
Q. I'm already in good health, and I rarely see a doctor. Why should I choose Kaiser Permanente?
A. We're glad you're in good health! Our job is to help you stay that way. We make it easy for you to get preventive care—such as health screenings, cholesterol tests, and mammograms, which can help detect problems early. Children get regular well-child visits and immunizations. Our online health management tools, healthy living classes, and wellness programs also give you the inspiration and information you need to make your lifestyle even healthier. (Classes vary by location and some classes may require a fee.)
Q. Do I get to choose my own doctor?
A. Yes. In fact, we encourage you to. As soon as you're a member, you can choose your personal physician from one of our primary care departments. (You can change your doctor later for any reason.) Together, you and your doctor can decide what it will take for you to get and stay healthy. And you don't just get a personal physician—you get the support of an entire health care team, including nurses, specialists, and health educators, who can help you find the resources you need to meet your health goals.
Q. How do I choose my doctor?
A. You can use our Web site to search for a primary care clinician who is right for you. You can search by location, gender, specialty, and language spoken. In most regions, you can call Member Services for help selecting a doctor. (In Hawaii, you can use our Web site to search for a doctor, but you’ll need to call the facility where you plan to receive care for help in making your selection.) You can change your doctor for any reason. Find out more about choosing a physician.
Q. Where can I get care?
A. We offer care at many locations nationwide. Once you're there, you can often save time and energy by taking care of most of your health needs all in one place—from getting an X-ray or lab test to getting a prescription filled. Find a location near you using our facility directory.
Q. How do I make an appointment?
A. Once you register on kp.org, you can request routine appointments online. If you prefer, you also can call your Kaiser Permanente facility to make or change appointments. You can find the phone numbers in our facility directory.
Q. What if I need care after regular office hours?
A. You can get same-day, after-hours, and weekend appointments at many of our locations. You'll also find valuable health information for self-care on our Web site.
Q. What if I have an emergency?
A. We cover 24-hour emergency care from Plan providers and non-Plan providers anywhere in the world.
Q. What if I need care quickly, but it's not an emergency?
A. We believe you should receive care when you need it. At many of our facilities, we provide same-day appointments. You can also call us to speak to an advice nurse who can help assess your symptoms, provide advice when medically appropriate, and answer questions about medical problems.
Q. Can I transfer my prescriptions from my current pharmacy to a Kaiser Permanente pharmacy?
A. Yes, and we make it simple for you. Call the Kaiser Permanente pharmacy near you, and provide your prescription number(s) and the name and phone number of your current pharmacy. Our pharmacy team will take care of the rest! Once you've transferred your prescription(s), you can save time by ordering most refills online. And with our mail-order program, you can get most of your refills mailed to you at no extra charge.
Q. How do I transfer my medical records to Kaiser Permanente?
A. It's easy. The medical records team at your local Kaiser Permanente facility will assist in requesting your records from your current physician. Find out more about transferring your medical records. (Members in Hawaii can contact the Customer Service Center to find out how to transfer medical records.)
Q. What online features does Kaiser Permanente offer?
A. Members can take advantage of a number of time-saving online tools. Our award-winning healthy lifestyles programs can help members lose weight, manage chronic conditions, and more. My health manager allows you to take charge of your health online.* Once you are a registered member, you can
You can also choose to use these features on behalf of a family member. (Act for a Family Member allows you to act on the behalf of another adult family member if you have that member’s consent or for your child under age 12.)
Members and nonmembers can access the following online features:
Explore all the features available on kp.org.
* Some services not available in all areas.
Q. How does Kaiser Permanente help me and my family stay healthy?
A. Preventive care, encouraging healthy habits, and detecting health conditions before they become serious are the keys to keeping you healthy. As a member, you have convenient access to health screenings, such as cholesterol tests and mammograms, which can help detect problems early. Your children will receive regular well-child visits and immunizations. And you have many great ways to stay informed and make healthier choices.
We offer healthy living classes in many locations (some classes may require a fee). If you have an ongoing health condition, we can help you manage it and live well. For example, HeathMedia® Care for Your Health™ helps you live well with chronic conditions such as asthma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and more.
Q. Can I take health classes?
A. Yes. Learning more about your health is a part of a well-balanced life. As a Kaiser Permanente member, you can choose from a variety of healthy living classes and other resources on topics including:
At many locations, we also offer classes such as tai chi and yoga to help you reach your personal fitness and wellness goals. (Some classes may require a fee and vary by location.)
Q. What are some of the new and different services you offer?
A. Try a total health assessment and get a personalized plan to improve your health. It's like having a personal health coach. And you can track your progress on your schedule from the convenience of your home computer.
Q. Can I get my questions answered over the phone?
A. Yes. Representatives at Member Services are available to help you find information on the following:
Q. Where else can I find health information?
A. As a member, you'll receive the Kaiser Permanente Healthwise® Handbook, a useful self-care guide to more than 200 common health problems, or you will receive a request card entitling you to order the Handbook. Members in some regions will receive Partners in Health (Elevate in Colorado), a newsletter just for Kaiser Permanente members.
