OREANDA-NEWS. August 18, 2016. “I have some pretty serious back problems so getting in and out of the car and walking is a problem,” said Jeanette Macon, a Kaiser Permanente Colorado Medicare Advantage member. “Being able to sit in my own home and have a visit (with my doctor) and talk about (my health) is a good thing.”

Macon is referring to Kaiser Permanente’s recently launched video visits, a secure and convenient way for Kaiser Permanente members to receive care from their physicians via a web-enabled smartphone, tablet or other video-ready devices.

“I think video visits are a good thing. Especially for people of my generation who find that mobility is an issue, sometimes hearing and vision are an issue. Video visits are a good way to have a follow-up visit with your doctor,” said Macon.

Macon’s experience with the convenient options of when, where and how she receives care from her physician is just one example of why Kaiser Permanente is the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plan in the nation, according to J.D. Power.

The second annual J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study, released this week, examines the experiences of nearly 3,500 members of the nation’s 10 largest Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plan members were asked their level of satisfaction in these key areas: coverage and benefits, provider choice, customer service, information and communication, cost and claims processing.

Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest integrated health care system, scored 851 out of a possible 1,000 points. Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Advantage members have rated their plan 61 points above the market average and 60 points above the next highest rated plan. The study reflects results of a survey conducted from March to June 2016.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by our members as this year’s highest rated Medicare Advantage plan in the nation,” said Roland Lyon, president of Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “This honor from J.D. Power reflects the exceptional patient-centered care provided every day by our physicians, care teams and other staff who are dedicated to helping Kaiser Permanente members be as healthy as they can be.”

The results of the 2016 J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study go hand in hand with the 2015 Medicare Star Quality ratings where six of Kaiser Permanente’s seven regions — including Colorado — achieved 5 out of 5 stars, the highest rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The 2016 J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study also comes just months after Kaiser Permanente commercial plan members in five geographical areas including Colorado rated their health plan highest, according to the J.D. Power 2016 Member Health Plan StudySM.

For more information on the 2016 J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study, please visit www.jdpower.com.

About Kaiser Permanente Colorado
Kaiser Permanente Colorado is the state’s largest nonprofit health plan, working to improve the lives and health of all Coloradans for more than 45 years. We are comprised of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado and the Colorado Permanente Medical Group — one of the state’s largest medical groups with more than 1,100 physicians. We provide comprehensive care for our 650,000 Kaiser Permanente Colorado members through 30 medical offices across the state — from Pueblo to Greeley and now in the mountains in Summit and Eagle counties. We are also committed to our social mission and in 2015, proudly directed more than \\$124 million to community benefit programs to improve the health of all Coloradans. For more Kaiser Permanente news, visit kp.org/share or follow us @kpcolorado or like us facebook.com/kpcolorado.