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Promoting Member Wellness, Kaiser Permanente to Offer Discounts to Network of Complementary Health Providers

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 December 2004, 09:00 CST

Members Gain Access Online to Fitness Centers, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists and More

Putting member health and wellness at the top of its agenda, Kaiser Permanente today announced an ambitious program aimed at providing member discounts -- and online access -- to a variety of complementary health care providers and health products, from fitness centers and massage therapists to chiropractors and acupuncturists.

Effective immediately, Kaiser Permanente, America's leading integrated health plan, will provide its members with access to American Specialty Health (ASH) Affinity services (http://www.kp.org/totalhealth). ASH's nationwide network of alternative health care providers and health products will help Kaiser Permanente members get and stay healthy, complementing the care they receive from their medical team. American Specialty Health is the nation's largest specialty services company for complementary health care and health products.

"Wellness has never been about just the absence of illness," said Kate Christensen, Medical Director for Kaiser Permanente's Internet Services Group. "We believe in offering our members the full gamut of quality services to enhance their wellness and health, and the ASH Affinity services mesh perfectly with Kaiser Permanente's comprehensive approach to health care. Through the Affinity Program our members will have access to ASH's well-established network of chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists and fitness centers. This will give Kaiser Permanente members an additional measure of choice in wellness products and services."

The ASH Affinity services are not a part of Kaiser Permanente's integrated model of care. They are instead a service that members can access independently, by simply referring themselves and presenting their Kaiser Permanente membership card. Through ASH Affinity services, Kaiser Permanente members have access to the following services -- in most cases at a discounted rate:

-- A national network of more than 20,000 chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists -- 25 percent off regular rates.

-- Preferred membership at more than 4,400 fitness clubs nationwide. To find out which fitness clubs are part of ASH, Kaiser Permanente members can call 1-877-335-2746 or visit kp.org/healthyroads.

-- Access to ASH's Healthyroads website, which provides health products, health-related articles and a dietary supplement guide, provider listings, health assessments tools, and more.

-- Free shipping of any Healthyroads products to Kaiser Permanente members when they access the website through kp.org/healthyroads

-- The Healthyroads for Living program, which includes more than 35 online health trackers

"New Year's resolutions are right around the corner, and many people are interested in alternative ways to get healthier," Christensen said. "In addition to kp.org, Kaiser Permanente's website, Healthyroads is another online resource that a member can use to chart their progress and increase awareness about their health and wellness."

On the Healthyroads website, Kaiser Permanente members can benefit from an array of interactive features:

-- Healthyroads for Living, an interactive tool that offers e-communication with Healthyroads practitioners, an interactive calendar, and more than 35 health trackers to help reach health and fitness goals. While access to these services are offered at no charge to Kaiser Permanente members, members may also elect to purchase more extensive health service offerings

-- My Library, which has information on a variety of general and complementary health care topics and a dietary supplement guide.

-- My Store, which stocks more than 2,400 health and wellness products at discounted prices. Offerings include vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, homeopathic remedies, skin care products, yoga-related products, aromatherapy products, fitness equipment, books and videos. Kaiser Permanente members receive free shipping on all orders through My Store.

-- My Providers, ASH's online provider directory.

-- My Health, which has articles about mind-body therapies, health assessment tools, and a health assessment quiz to help you set realistic fitness goals.

Once they have taken advantage of ASH Affinity program's discounts, Kaiser Permanente members pay the providers directly for the services, and the money spent on the program does not count toward a member's deductible for any of Kaiser Permanente's deductible plans, or toward the member's out-of-pocket maximum for any Kaiser Permanente health plan. Members can select providers on the Healthyroads website or by calling a toll-free customer service line; members can change providers at any time, and there is no geographical limitation within the U.S. on providers.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a not-for-profit, group practice prepayment program with headquarters in Oakland, Calif. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of some 8.2 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Today it encompasses the not-for-profit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Permanente Medical Groups. Nationwide, Kaiser Permanente includes approximately 134,000 technical, administrative and clerical employees and more than 12,000 physicians representing all specialties.

Source: Business Wire

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