
Kaiser Permanente is an American integrated managed care consortium founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. The organization was initially established to provide medical services at Kaiser's shipyards, steel mills, and other facilities, before being opened to the public. Kaiser Permanente is the largest not-for-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) in the United States, serving 8.2 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. It operates as a consortium comprising three distinct but interdependent entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) and its regional subsidiaries, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the regional Permanente Medical Groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Organization | Private not-for-profit organization |
| Year founded | 1945 |
| Founders | Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California |
| No. of hospitals | 37-40 |
| No. of medical offices | 614-616 |
| No. of employees | 174,259 |
| No. of physicians | 98,000-16,942 |
| No. of nurses | 48,701 |
| No. of members | 8.2-12.6 million |
| Annual operating revenue | $50 billion |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Kaiser Permanente is a not-for-profit organisation
Kaiser Permanente is a not-for-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) headquartered in Oakland, California. It was founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. The organization was initially established to provide medical services at Kaiser's shipyards, steel mills, and other facilities, and it was later opened to the general public.
Kaiser Permanente operates as a consortium comprising three distinct but interdependent entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) and its regional subsidiaries, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the regional Permanente Medical Groups. Each Permanente Medical Group functions as a separate for-profit partnership or professional corporation within its specific territory, and they are primarily funded by reimbursements from the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan.
Kaiser Permanente is the largest managed care organization in the United States, serving over 12.6 million members across 8 states and the District of Columbia. The organization includes 38 hospitals, 618 medical offices, and employs over 300,000 individuals, including more than 98,000 physicians and nurses.
Kaiser Permanente's quality of care is highly rated and is attributed to its focus on preventive care, salaried physicians, and efforts to optimize patient care planning to reduce hospital stays. The organization's strategy is to distinguish itself from competitors by emphasizing its integrated care system, which empowers members' physicians to act as the ultimate decision-makers at every level of care.
Jacksonville Memorial Hospital's Drug Testing Policy Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It was founded in 1945 by Henry J. Kaiser and Sidney Garfield
Kaiser Permanente is a private hospital. It was founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield.
The organisation was initially established to provide medical services at Kaiser's shipyards, steel mills, and other facilities. During World War II, physicians served workers and their families at the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. With the closing of the shipyards in 1945, enrollment was opened to the community.
In 1943, Kaiser and Garfield opened a 50-bed hospital, housing six physicians for the 3000 employees and their families at the new Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California. They offered a pre-paid health care plan for $0.60 per week for adults and $0.30 per week for children.
Kaiser Permanente is headquartered in Oakland, California, and operates as a consortium comprising three distinct but interdependent entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) and its regional subsidiaries, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the regional Permanente Medical Groups.
The Permanente Medical Groups provide care for Kaiser Permanente members and continuously develop and refine medical practices to ensure efficient and effective care delivery. Kaiser employs over 300,000 individuals, including more than 98,000 physicians and nurses. The Kaiser Foundation Hospitals operate 40 hospitals and more than 614 medical offices.
How Do Private Hospitals Get Government Funding?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kaiser Permanente has 40 hospitals and over 600 medical offices
Kaiser Permanente is a private, non-profit health plan consortium founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. It was established to provide medical services to workers at Kaiser's shipyards and steel mills, and it was later opened to the public.
Kaiser Permanente operates as a consortium of three distinct but interdependent entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) and its regional subsidiaries, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the regional Permanente Medical Groups. As of 2024, it serves eight states (California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington) and the District of Columbia, making it the largest managed care organisation in the US.
Kaiser Permanente has a long history of providing healthcare services, dating back to the late 1930s when a medical group was established to serve workers and their families during the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam in northeastern Washington. During World War II, these physicians served workers and their families at the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.
Kaiser Permanente has continued to expand and, as of 2024, it had 12.5 million health plan members, 223,883 employees, 73,618 nurses, 24,605 physicians, 40 hospitals, and 614 medical offices. The organisation's quality of care is highly rated and is attributed to its focus on preventive care, salaried physicians, and efforts to optimise patient care planning to reduce hospital stays.
Kaiser Permanente's hospitals and medical offices are located across the eight states and the District of Columbia that it serves. For example, the San Jose Medical Center in California, the Tysons Corner Medical Center in Virginia, and the Bellevue Medical Center in Washington are all part of the Kaiser Permanente network.
Hobart Private Hospital: Free Wifi Access for All?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It serves eight states and the District of Columbia
Kaiser Permanente is a private, non-profit health care provider. It was founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. Initially, the organisation provided medical services at Kaiser's shipyards, steel mills, and other facilities. However, it was opened to the general public in 1945.
Kaiser Permanente serves eight states and the District of Columbia. These states are California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. The organisation has its headquarters in Oakland, California, and it operates as a consortium comprising three distinct but interdependent entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) and its regional subsidiaries, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the regional Permanente Medical Groups.
Kaiser Permanente has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, dating back to the late 1930s when a medical group was established to serve workers and their families during the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam in northeastern Washington. During World War II, these physicians also served at the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.
Kaiser Permanente's presence in the state of Washington expanded in 2017 with its acquisition of Group Health Cooperative and its subsidiaries. Today, Kaiser Permanente Washington is headquartered in the Seattle metro area and serves several communities across the state, including Bellevue, Bothell, Bremerton, Burien, Everett, Federal Way, Kent, and Longview/Kelso.
In addition to its locations in Washington, Kaiser Permanente also has a significant presence in other states that it serves. For example, in California, Kaiser Permanente has medical centres and offices in San Jose, San Leandro, San Marcos, San Rafael, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South San Francisco, Stockton, Union City, Vacaville, and Vallejo, among other locations. In Maryland, the organisation has medical centres and offices in Lutherville-Timonium, Nottingham, Rockville, Silver Spring, Suitland, Temple Hills, Towson, Upper Marlboro, and Baltimore.
Blood and Urine Tests: Hospital Requirements Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$18.99 $22.99
$11.95 $14.95

It is the largest managed care organisation in the US
Kaiser Permanente is a private, not-for-profit organization and the largest managed care organization in the United States. It was founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. The organization was initially established to provide medical services at Kaiser's shipyards, steel mills, and other facilities, but in 1945, it opened to the general public.
Kaiser Permanente operates as a consortium comprising three distinct but interdependent entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) and its regional subsidiaries, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the regional Permanente Medical Groups. As of 2024, Kaiser Permanente serves eight states (California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington) as well as the District of Columbia. The organization serves 8.2 million to 12.6 million members and employs over 300,000 individuals, including more than 98,000 physicians and nurses.
Kaiser Permanente's quality of care is often highly rated, attributed to its focus on preventive care, salaried physicians, and efforts to reduce hospital stays by optimizing patient care planning. The organization also invests heavily in health research and community initiatives. Kaiser Permanente's unique integrated care system empowers its members' physicians to act as the ultimate decision-makers at every level of care, ensuring that medical professionals have a significant influence on the network of care and services.
Kaiser Permanente's large scale and not-for-profit status have allowed it to become a leading healthcare provider in the United States. Its focus on providing affordable and comprehensive care has contributed to its growth and expansion across the country. The organization's history, reputation, and commitment to innovation in healthcare delivery have solidified its position as the largest managed care organization in the nation.
Dress to Impress: Hospital Interview Attire Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Kaiser Permanente is a private, not-for-profit organization.
Kaiser Permanente was founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. It was initially established to provide medical services at Kaiser's shipyards and steel mills. In 1945, the organization opened to the public.
Kaiser Permanente operates 38-40 hospitals and more than 600 medical offices across the United States.
Kaiser Permanente serves eight states (California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington) as well as the District of Columbia.
Kaiser Permanente serves 8.2-12.6 million members, making it the largest not-for-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) in the United States.




























![DVD * Lissi und der wilde Kaiser [Import allemand]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716X6vZrvXL._AC_UY218_.jpg)


