Kaiser Colorado’s Medicare plan rated best in nation
Kaiser Permanente's Lakewood medical office building
LAKEWOOD – Kaiser Permanente Colorado scores big in an upcoming assessment of health plans in the December issue of U.S. News and World Report, which will hit newsstands Dec. 1.
The health plan provider, which operates a large clinic in Lakewood, topped the list of Medicare plans and was ranked 13th in commercial health plans. The designation marks the first time a health plan serving Colorado has been designated the best in the nation in both quality and service.
The rankings come as Congress struggles to devise health-insurance legislation in the midst of one of the hottest and most controversial public issues in the nation.
More than 700 health plans were evaluated in the rankings compiled by the news magazine and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The NCQA is a private, not-for-profit group that for nearly 20 years has developed quality standards and performance measures across the health-care industry.
“While the health-care debate has focused heavily on how to expand health-care coverage, increasingly it is recognized that how care is delivered also matters,” said Dr. Michael Chase, Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s associate medical director of quality.
“As affirmed by the latest rankings, Kaiser Permanente Colorado has demonstrated the ability to achieve nation-leading quality performance.”
The ratings gauge consumer experience, prevention programs and treatment services and arer are based on responses from health-plan clients to questions about the ease and speed of obtaining care; satisfaction with personal physicians and specialists including doctor-patent communication and the quality of the care received; and the services provided by the users health plan.
To see the complete lists, visit the USN&WR web site.
K-P Colorado’s Medicare clients gave their provider an overall score of 89.0 out of a possible 100 points, giving “prevention and treatment” perfect scores. Commercial plan members gave K-P Colorado an overall 87.2 score that was weighed down by a lower score on “satisfaction”, which was rated two out of a possible five stars.
The commercial plan users also rated the prevention programs in their plans 20 percent lower than the provider’s Medicare clients.
K-P Colorado was ranked in the top 10 in the prevention and treatment of asthma, diabetes care, hypertension, heart disease care, safe use of medicine, cholesterol management, and mental-health care and follow-up treatment.
It’s Medicare services rated above the national average for the speed of obtaining medical care, doctor/patient communication, meeting prescription drug needs, providing information about drug coverage and health plan customer service.
“We have mission-driven clinicians and staff working together as teams, supported by electronic health records, to improve the care of our patients,” Chase said. “I’m proud that Kaiser Permanente Colorado is recognized by U.S. News & World Report (and the) CQA for delivering exceptional care and service.”
