October 15, 2012 (Atlanta, Georgia) — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today that the Kaiser Permanente Medicare plan in Georgia earned 4.5 of five stars for its excellence in quality and service for 2013. Kaiser Permanente Georgia’s plan remains the highest-rated plan in the region.

“This ranking from CMS is a testament to the commitment our physicians and staff have to the total health of our Medicare members,” said Kerry W. Kohnen, president of Kaiser Permanente Georgia. "We will continue striving to provide the highest quality health care in Georgia.”

Each year through the Medicare Star Quality Ratings system, CMS rates Medicare health plans (both parts C and D) on a scale of one to five stars, with five stars representing the highest quality. The overall scores are based on more than 50 care and service quality measures across five categories, including staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and pharmacy services. 

The announcement comes on the heels of the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2012-2013, which listed Kaiser Permanente Georgia as the highest-ranked commercial health plan in the state for the eighth consecutive year.

Six of 11 5-star Medicare plans nationwide are Kaiser Permanente plans with parts C and D for 2013. The Kaiser Permanente plans on the  5-star list include those in California, the Northwest, Colorado, Hawaii, Ohio and Mid-Atlantic States.

“To earn the highest quality recognition, a health care plan should ensure patients and their doctors have access to all the tools necessary for maintaining total health,” said Jed Weissberg, MD, senior vice president, Hospitals, Quality and Care Delivery Excellence, Kaiser Permanente. “We offer services such as the ability to make online appointments, getting lab results electronically, access to your complete health records, and providing secure email directly to your personal physician.”

Kaiser Permanente has participated in the Medicare program since its inception in 1965, and has a long history of providing high-quality care and service to its members.

Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars or medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. Kaiser Permanente in California includes Northern and Southern California. Kaiser Permanente Northwest includes Oregon and Washington. Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States includes Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.