Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Website Recognized for Excellence in User-Friendly Design and Enrollment

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Apr 23, 2015, 02:00 ET

OAKLAND, Calif., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente's Medicare health plan website, kp.org/medicare, received top marks again from HealthMetrix Research Inc. for offering Medicare consumers an easy, positive and high-value experience. The independent research firm announced its list of "Outstanding Medicare Advantage Plan Websites" for 2015 MedicareWebWatch certification, and Kaiser Permanente's Medicare plan website was also recognized as the top benchmark site. The research firm evaluated 168 Medicare plan websites nationwide.

MedicareWebWatch certification recognizes excellence in website content, member connectivity, design and privacy assurance. Kaiser Permanente's Medicare website has been top-ranked for five consecutive years.

"Our goal is to make shopping for a Medicare plan as simple and convenient as possible. We have designed the Kaiser Permanente Medicare website with user-friendly navigation and the necessary information to help consumers select a Medicare health plan," said Agnes Strandberg, senior vice president, Kaiser Permanente Medicare program. "Our Medicare site explains the basics of Medicare to help people in their decision-making as they shop for a plan and make the enrollment process easy."

Simplifying enrollment is crucial considering 11,000 baby boomers become eligible for Medicare each day. In 2014, the site had nearly 2 million visits as seniors increasingly prefer to shop and enroll in their Medicare plan online. Those who are eligible can enroll in Kaiser Permanente's Medicare plan directly from the website.

Kaiser Permanente's convenient web features include:

Information about Medicare (Parts A, B, C and D)
Eligibility requirements, and cost and coverage options
Downloadable check lists and frequently asked questions
A "save and return" feature, so consumers may to start the enrollment form and finalize enrollment at their leisure
A seminar search tool that helps visitors find/register for a Kaiser Permanente Medicare seminar in their area
Seminar confirmation and reminders for prospective members — if they provide their email address

Medicare consumers have the opportunity to change to a 5-star plan during Medicare's 5-star Special Enrollment Period. They must be eligible and live where a 5-star plan is offered. Kaiser Permanente 5-star plans are offered in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Consumers can learn more about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings and the Special Enrollment Period by visiting kp.org/medicare, or by calling 1-877-425-7892. All available Kaiser Permanente physicians accept Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan members.

Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.

About MedicareWebWatch
MedicareWebWatch certification is based on HealthMetrix Research's methodology that addresses 48 website features related to: plan-specific content; external content resources; member connectivity; design and navigation; transparency. Certification details are available at www.MedicareWebWatch.com. HealthMetrix Research Inc. neither recommends nor endorses specific Medicare plans or products.

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 approximately 9.6 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 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: Annie Moore, Kaiser Permanente, 510.267.2903

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SOURCE Kaiser Permanente