OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "I'm on bonus time,
there's absolutely no question about that," said George Wittemyer,
reflecting on the care he received from physicians and nurses
during an emergency cardiac event and subsequent surgery. "And I'm
really happy. Here I am, thanks to Kaiser Permanente."
Wittemyer's experience of seamless care, expert medicine and
top-notch service represents one of the many reasons the
organization's Medicare health plans have once again received high
scores by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
In CMS' Oct. 11 announcement of
the 2018 Medicare star quality ratings, Kaiser Permanente's
Medicare health plans in Northern and Southern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Northwest and Mid-Atlantic States
received 5 out of 5 stars each. Kaiser Permanente in Georgia and Washington earned 4.5 out of 5 stars.
According to CMS, Kaiser Permanente represents five of 15
Medicare health plans (with Parts C and D) that earned 5 out of 5
stars, the highest overall rating. Moreover, of the nearly 2
million beneficiaries enrolled in those 5-star plans nationwide, 72
percent are Kaiser Permanente Medicare members. Wittemyer is one of
more than 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries who rely on Kaiser
Permanente for high-quality health care with service that is
convenient, personalized and simple to use.
The 'turbine'
Wittemyer, 77, a Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan member in
Portland, Oregon, knew something
was wrong when after increasing episodes of weakness and shortness
of breath, he could hardly walk up his driveway. Thanks to quick
action by his internist, Wittemyer was soon in urgent care for
treatment, and then conferring with his physicians about surgery to
attach a left ventricular assist device, or "LVAD," to his
heart.
After much discussion and deliberation, Wittemyer made the
decision with his doctors to proceed with the surgery. Surgery and
recovery were both a success, and Wittemyer credits his entire care
team — including his "peerless" surgeon, "marvelous" physicians and
"incredible" nurses — with providing expert care and support
throughout his experience.
Perhaps because he grew up on a working farm, Wittemyer calls
his LVAD "the turbine." With his new turbine in place, Wittemyer is
back to driving his tractor, chopping trees and doing other chores
on his acreage. "I'm back to being a normal person," he said,
smiling.
"By providing excellent, compassionate care, our physicians and
care teams are helping our members achieve and maintain total
health," said Michael Kanter, MD, executive vice president of
quality and chief quality officer for The Permanente Federation,
the national organization for more than 21,000 physicians who
provide care to Kaiser Permanente's 11.8 million members. "Our
patients partner with their doctors to make personalized treatment
decisions together so they can live full, active lives. The CMS
ratings reflect the success of our person-centered approach to
delivering safe and effective care."
As the nation's largest integrated health system, Kaiser
Permanente connects its care teams to members via digital tools,
technology and a range of care settings so that members can access
care whenever and wherever they need.
A rating system to make choice easier
CMS created the Medicare star quality rating system to provide
beneficiaries with a way to assess Medicare plans based on quality
of care and service delivery, so they can make an informed decision
when choosing a plan. CMS uses the star ratings system to rank
Medicare health plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars
representing the highest quality.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans have consistently
received high ratings since CMS began awarding them in 2009.
"Our high star ratings year after year reflect the dedicated
work of providers and staff throughout our organization to ensure
the best care and service experience for our members," said Patrick
Courneya, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer
for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. "Kaiser
Permanente's integrated model enables a seamless, coordinated care
experience for members, and our commitment to evidence-based
practices and prevention measures means we are our patients'
partner in becoming their healthiest selves."
A leader in quality
Kaiser Permanente's high rating by CMS is the latest of several
quality recognitions the organization has achieved this year. In
the "NCQA Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2017-2018" report, the
National Committee for Quality Assurance lists all seven Kaiser
Permanente Medicare plans as the highest rated or ranked, or
tied-for-highest, in the markets they serve — for the sixth year in
a row. And for the fifth consecutive year, Kaiser Permanente's
Medicare website, kp.org/Medicare, was rated one of the top
Medicare websites in the nation for providing consumers with an
easy, positive and high-value experience.
Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the star ratings and
Kaiser Permanente's Medicare health plans by visiting
kp.org/medicarestars.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans have consistently received high
ratings since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
began the Medicare stars program, and have maintained high
performance in all states in which the health plan operates. For
CMS' 2018 star ratings:
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado received the highest possible
rating of 5 out of 5 stars for the eighth year in a row.
- Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California received the highest
possible rating of 5 out of 5 stars for the seventh year in a row
and is the highest rated plan in the state.*
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest, which includes Oregon and southwest Washington, received the highest possible
rating of 5 out of 5 stars for the seventh year in a row.
- Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, which includes
Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., received the highest possible
rating of 5 out of 5 stars for the sixth year in a row.
- Kaiser Permanente Hawaii received the highest possible
rating of 5 out of 5 stars and is the highest rated plan in the
state.
- Kaiser Permanente Georgia received 4.5 out of 5
stars.
- Kaiser Permanente Washington received 4.5 out of 5
stars.
*Northern and Southern
California regions rated together as they represent one CMS
contract.
Fast facts: Medicare quality stars
What they measure: The overall scores for Medicare
quality stars are based on care and service quality measures (Parts
C and D) across nine categories, including staying healthy, member
satisfaction, managing chronic conditions, customer service and
pharmacy services. The star ratings also measure health plans'
compliance performance.
Methodology: Star ratings are calculated each year and
may change from one year to the next. The methodology CMS uses for
the star ratings is dynamic and continues to change. This means
that Medicare health plans must stay ahead of the curve on measures
that may be included in the 5-star portfolio, and continually
improve their performance to achieve 5 stars.
Special enrollment opportunity: Along with high-quality
care and service, another benefit of 5-star plans is a longer
enrollment opportunity. Medicare beneficiaries may change to a
5-star Kaiser Permanente individual Medicare plan through a CMS
5-star Special Enrollment Period from Dec.
8, 2017 to Nov. 30, 2018,
without having to wait until the next annual enrollment period.
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,
Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable
health care services and to improve the health of our members and
the communities we serve. We currently serve 11.8 million members
in eight states and the District of
Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their
total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group
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 kp.org/share.
Contact:
Marc Brown, 510-271-6328
marc.t.brown@kp.org
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SOURCE Kaiser Permanente