Kaiser Permanente Mission Statement Explained

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Managed care has been the focal point of all Kaiser Permanente‘s activities since the enactment of the 1973 Health Maintenance Organization Act.

Although its services are available in just nine states, Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest non-profit healthcare providers in the United States. Its mission is

‘…to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.’ 

The Kaiser Permanente mission statement emphasizes the organization’s commitment to the well-being of its patients regardless of their financial status. It also implies that the healthcare provider strives to implement the latest medical discoveries into its practices and use them for the benefit of entire communities.

Kaiser Permanente’s social responsibility programs are an extension of its goal to support the communities it serves.

Name Kaiser Permanente
Founded July 21, 1945,
Headquarters  Ordway Building, Oakland, California, United States
Industry  Healthcare
Market cap  $49.131 million

Kaiser Permanente Mission Statement In-Depth Analysis

Three independent entities constitute the Kaiser Permanente integrated managed care consortium. These entities are:

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals From Twitter
  • The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. and its subsidiaries
  • Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
  • Permanente Medical Groups

The consortium operates in nine regions of the United States. Its operations in each region are managed through one parent and hospital entity as well as nine individual medical groups.

The entities that constitute the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) operate as non-profit organizations, while the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals provide healthcare services for its members.

Each entity adheres to the principles the mission statement communicates, as their collective goal is to:

  • Set healthcare standards
  • Provide affordable services to all members
  • Improve the quality of life in local communities

The statement vaguely references the consortium’s investments in the development of new medical technology by stating its purpose is to improve the health of its members.

However, Kaiser Permanente Ventures collaborates with hundreds of companies working on solutions to some of the healthcare industry’s biggest challenges. Unlike General Electric, which branched out in various industries besides healthcare, Kaiser Permanente’s focus is primarily on health services.

Setting Healthcare Standards

The fact that Kaiser Permanente has 12.5 million health plan members is proof of the quality of the services it offers. Its plans include the following options:

  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal
  • Medicare
  • Coverage through the employer
  • Individuals and families

The KFHP also provides support for families and individuals who are losing their medical coverage. These health plans are only available in:

Setting Healthcare Standards
Image From Twitter
  • California
  • Washington
  • District of Columbia
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Virginia
  • Maryland
  • Oregon
  • Georgia

Consequently, individuals interested in Medicare coverage must meet state-specific requirements to qualify for this health plan type.

Members can choose their physicians, use the lab services or get medical attention at all Kaiser Permanent hospital locations. Besides internists, staff in the hospital includes cancer, heart disease, immunization, and other specialists who are experts in their fields.

Health plans enable members to obtain or refill their medications through KP’s pharmacy network. Hence, purchasing medication at a Kaiser Permanente pharmacy is usually a more affordable option than buying medicine at Walgreens or similar pharmacy chains.

Affordable Services for All Members

Each health plan is customized to the needs of the policyholder.

So, the cost and coverage of a Kaiser Permanente health plan depend on a broad spectrum of factors that range from your annual income to the number of individuals the plan covers.

The monthly plan fee spans from $300 to $500 for individuals and families. The coverage through the employer is deducted from the employee’s monthly salary, and it includes perks like self-care apps, fitness memberships, and online lifestyle programs.

Most Kaiser Permanente plans include deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance, meaning that members’ annual medical costs must reach a certain threshold before a plan can cover their expenses. Policyholders are required to cover the co-pay fee for doctor visits and prescriptions.

Still, all plans have out-of-the-pocket maximums that limit the amount members can spend on services included in their health plan. Members from low-income families can apply for Kaiser Permanente’s Medicaid coverage if they meet the state’s income, family size, and age requirements.

Improving the Quality of Life in Local Communities

Improving the Quality of Life in Local Communities
Image From Twitter

All services Kaiser Permanente offers serve the same purpose, ‘to improve the health and well-being of the people who live in the communities we serve.’

However, the organization’s social impact goes beyond affordable healthcare plans and competent hospital staff. Kaiser Permanente’s efforts to improve the well-being of local communities focus on the following areas:

  • Environmental stewardship
  • Social health
  • Policy solutions for cities
  • Charity care
  • Safe and successful schools
  • Affordable housing
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Economic opportunities

Hence, creating jobs in various sectors, Thriving Communities Fund, or carbon neutrality are some of the strategies the organization uses to address different social issues.

In 2021, Kaiser Permanente invested $2.9 billion in businesses owned by women or members of minority groups, as well as $2.6 billion in community health projects. The organization awarded more than a thousand grants and helped over 100,000 people receive social care within the same timeframe.

Kaiser Permanente Vision Statement

Johnson & Johnson, GoodRX, and all other major healthcare companies prioritize the well-being of their customers. Hence, Kaiser Permanente’s dedication to the quality of the services it provides to its members is a somewhat expected element of the organization’s mission and vision.

The following statement outlines the organization’s plans:

‘Our vision at Kaiser Permanente is to be a leader in total health by making lives better.’

The healthcare provider’s service quality is based on strong relationships physicians establish with each policyholder. Hence, each member has a personal physician who is familiar with their medical history.

Kaiser Permanente intends to improve its services by enabling its members to deepen relationships with their physicians and granting them access to the most advanced medical treatments.

The organization plans to achieve the goals laid out in its vision statement by:

  • Implementing the latest technologies and practices
  • Cultivating the culture of safe care
  • Respecting the privacy of its patients
  • Making a difference in the lives of its members

Implementation of the Latest Technologies

Medical Technologyy

Eliminating waiting lines, electronic medical records, or an efficient appointment booking system are among the steps Kaiser Permanente has taken to modernize its operations.

In addition, all members have free access to their health information and can communicate with their doctors via email. Consortium invests substantial funds into research centers that study cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and other medical fields.

The findings of the research studies scientists at Kaiser Permanente research facilities conduct enable the organization’s doctors to provide advanced treatments for complex medical conditions.

The Culture of Safe Care

Doctors at Kaiser Permanente hospitals do everything in their power to provide each patient with safe care.

Kaiser Permanente updates its safety policies frequently and encourages its members to leave feedback it can use to improve the safety of its healthcare services.

Its safety programs prioritize transparency and communication among team members and provide a framework through which the organization addresses issues related to surgical complications, infections, or accidents.

Hospital patients with special needs have access to assistive technologies and receive all the support they need from the staff.

Data Privacy

Identity theft, fraud protection, and confidentiality of medical records are among Kaiser Permanente’s primary concerns.

As a result, the health care provider has implemented a broad spectrum of procedures and policies that protect the privacy of the information members share with their doctors.

The organization has strict anti-fraud policies that prevent unauthorized use of Kaiser Permanente identification cards and identity theft. It also provides its members with clear guidelines for safeguarding their data.

Keeping up with the latest data privacy practices will remain one of the organization’s focus areas as it aims to minimize the waste of its resources.

Making Lives Better

Happy Clients

All entities within the Kaiser Permanente organization work towards the same goal. Their purpose is to improve people’s lives through high-quality healthcare services, cutting-edge research, and social health promotion.

The organization’s programs aim to eradicate hunger and homelessness in communities throughout the United States.

These programs also promote social health through education and career development opportunities that enable members of underdeveloped communities to get the work experience they need to find stable employment.

Kaiser Permanente Core Values

Care for the people is the fundamental goal of each organization’s entities. All values, actions, and goals these entities have are based on the well-being of individuals and communities. Hence, the pioneering spirit, scientific discipline, respect, and integrity are the values that should help the organization and its employees achieve the primary objective of providing care for those in need. Let’s take a look at how Kaiser Permanente’s core values affect the health provider’s culture and guide its actions.

  • Pioneering Spirit: Research and implementation of the latest medical procedures into the services it offers to its members are the guiding principles that characterized Kaiser Permanente from the start. After nearly a century, the pioneering spirit remains one of the health provider’s core values.
  • Scientific Discipline: The quality of the services Kaiser Permanente provides to its members is based on the scientific discipline. All doctors and hospital staff are expected to make informed decisions that benefit their patients.
  • Respect: Communication is a vital element of all health provider’s actions. Hence, all employees must be respectful towards each other and work together to provide the best possible service to all patients.
  • Integrity: Decisions Kaiser Permanente’s employees make affect the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities. That’s why they must make all decisions with integrity and take responsibility for all outcomes.

Key Takeaways

  • Health provider intends to accomplish its vision through a frequent and rigorous reevaluation of its services
  • Kaiser Permanente’s mission is to promote social health by empowering members to build healthy relationships
  • Finding solutions for complex medical conditions is one of the most important elements of the organization’s vision
  • Kaiser Permanente’s purpose is to provide health plans tailored to meet the needs of each of its members

Frequently Asked Questions – Kaiser Permanente Mission Statement

Question: Is Kaiser Permanente Unique?

Answer: Yes, it is because its healthcare policyholders can receive treatment at hospitals and medical centers operated by Kaiser Permanente entities.

Question: Can Kaiser Permanente Members Receive Treatment in States Outside Its Service Area?

Answer: All health plans include full coverage for emergency treatments at non-Kaiser Permanente facilities, but members must pay for routine examinations performed at hospitals outside of the organization’s service area.

Question: Do I Have to Renew My Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Plan Every Year?

Answer: Yes, members must renew their healthcare plans annually unless they receive coverage through their employer, in which case the company they’re working for will renew the plan for them.

Question: Where is the Largest Kaiser Permanente Hospital Located?

Answer: Kaiser Oakland Medical Center is the health provider’s first and largest hospital. It is located at 3600 Broadway Street in Oakland, California.

Question: Can I Change My Primary Care Physician?

Answer: All Kaiser Permanente members can change their primary care physicians at any moment.

Other Companies with Similar Values

Kaiser Permanente is a unique healthcare non-profit organization that offers health insurance and medical services to its members.

Its business model is different from the one used by GoodRx because it is a privately-owned non-profit organization that generates most of its profit through memberships. Even so, Kaiser Permanente competes with for-profit healthcare organizations.

Low-cost health plans and medical services are among its main advantages over competitors like the Mayo Clinic or Dignity Health. Here’s a quick overview of non-profit healthcare organizations that stand for the same values as Kaiser Permanente.

  • Mayo Clinic: The health system offers a variety of health insurance options designed for military members or seniors. Mayo Clinic’s goal is to promote health through research and education.
  • Dignity Health: As California’s largest hospital network, Dignity Health is one of Kaiser Permanente’s fiercest competitors. However, the not-for-profit organization doesn’t offer healthcare plans.
  • Harvard Pilgrim: The company’s service area extends over Massachusetts, Maine, Road Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Harvard Pilgrim is an excellent alternative for people who live outside of Kaiser Permanente’s service area.

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