Kaiser plans local office
By Ilene Aleshire, The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The office initially will have at least four primary care physicians, but Kaiser intends to grow that staff, its Northwest regional president,
"This is the first component of what we hope will be a long-term program of providing
Kaiser's medical offices are a bit different than many others, McCulloch said. They generally include a pharmacy and a lab.
"We're also considering whether to add a dental practice when we come to
Kaiser is looking for space -- "probably a minimum of 10,000 square feet" -- to buy or lease, McCulloch said.
The physicians will provide integrated care, including coordinating services through contracts with additional local providers and regional hospitals, Kaiser said in a statement. Members also will have access to
Health plans will be offered initially in
"We will want to serve
Charpentier said plans for the office came after employers with staff in the
McCulloch said a key motivator in the timing of Kaiser's entry into the
"We provide health insurance to a large number of state employees," he said. "We asked to expand our service area to include
The request was denied by the Public Employees Benefits Board, which oversees the design and provision of benefits to state employees. But the board added that it would look favorably on Kaiser's request if Kaiser actually had facilities in those areas, McCulloch said.
"We're working on a
Unlike a lot of health care providers, Kaiser is "a care delivery system with an insurance plan," McCulloch said.
"We've talked to a number of physicians as well as both hospitals, that was the first of our series of steps," McCulloch said. Next, he said, Kaiser will begin enrolling members, "which represents a long-term commitment on our part."
Kaiser may be starting small in
Follow Ilene on Twitter @ialeshire . Email [email protected] .
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