Is Kaiser Permanente Good? Health Insurance and Medicare Advantage Review
Kaiser Permanente’s health insurance plans are usually cheap and have high-quality coverage. Kaiser's Medicare Advantage plans also have great coverage but are expensive.
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Kaiser Permanente is one of the best health insurance companies in the country. The company is a great choice for cheap, high-quality health insurance. But if you're shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan, you can probably get a better deal with another company.
Kaiser is unique because it integrates its health insurance with its own hospitals and medical offices. This can make getting medical care easier within the Kaiser system, but it takes away your flexibility to choose your doctors.
Editor's rating breakdown
On this page
Pros and cons
Pros
- Great service and coverage
- Cheap rates for health insurance
- Easy-to-use, interconnected medical system
Cons
- Only in 8 states and D.C.
- Can only use Kaiser doctors
- Expensive Medicare Advantage plans
Kaiser Permanente health insurance
Kaiser Permanente sells some of the best health insurance plans available.
Kaiser's health insurance plans are highly rated, earning a perfect 5-star rating from HealthCare.gov. This means Kaiser's members are very happy with their plans. Plus, Kaiser Permanente's plans are usually cheap. But you can't go to any doctors outside of Kaiser's network unless you have an emergency.
One of the most unique features of Kaiser Permanente is that it integrates its health insurance plans with its medical offices and hospitals. That can make it easier and more seamless for you to get care, because your coverage and your medical care all come from the same company. However, the downside is that you have to use Kaiser doctors except during emergencies.
How much does Kaiser insurance cost per month?
A Silver plan from Kaiser Permanente costs $595 per month, on average.
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- Kaiser Permanente's plans are often cheap. That's partly because Kaiser sells plans that require you to stay within a strict network of doctors, called HMOs and EPOs.
- Kaiser plans often let you pay less for medical care, because they usually have cheaper-than-average deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
- You can only get Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C.
Kaiser Permanente health insurance rates by plan tier
Keep in mind, these rates are for people paying full price for health insurance. Health insurance discounts, called subsidies, can help lower your monthly insurance bills. You might be able to get these health insurance discounts based on your income and family size.
Kaiser Permanente rates vs. other companies
Kaiser health insurance is usually cheaper than other major insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare.
However, because Kaiser isn't widely available, it's not a cheap health insurance option for people in most states.
Cost of Kaiser Permanente health insurance vs. competitors
Average monthly costs are for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. Rates are regional averages for the eight states and Washington, D.C., where Kaiser Permanente sells plans. Not all companies are available in all states.
How much is Kaiser Permanente in my state?
Kaiser Permanente is usually a cheap option, but its rates are around the state average in Washington.
- In most of the states where it sells plans, Kaiser has cheap rates. For example, in Colorado, Kaiser's average rate is 24% lower than the state average. And in California, Kaiser is 17% cheaper than average.
- Kaiser Permanente's rates are roughly average in Washington. But you may still want to get a quote, especially if you want a plan with excellent coverage and service.
- Additionally, you may have to pay more for your medical care with Kaiser if you live in Washington. Washington is the only state where Kaiser Permanente's average out-of-pocket maximum is higher than the state average. Overall, companies in Washington have an average out-of-pocket maximum of $9,377, which means you won't have to pay more than $9,377 each year toward your medical bills. But Kaiser's average out-of-pocket maximum in Washington is $9,475.
Kaiser Permanente health insurance rates by state
State | Kaiser rate | State avg. | % from average |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $606 | $728 | 17% cheaper |
| Colorado | $536 | $703 | 24% cheaper |
| Georgia | $674 | $729 | 8% cheaper |
| Hawaii | $545 | $583 | 6% cheaper |
| Maryland | $444 | $480 | 7% cheaper |
Average costs are for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan.
What Kaiser health insurance plans are available?
Kaiser Permanente offers multiple types of health insurance, including marketplace plans and group health insurance that you get through your job.
Kaiser health insurance networks
In most states, Kaiser requires you to go to Kaiser doctors unless it's an emergency. That's because its plans are usually HMOs.
An HMO, or health maintenance organization, is a type of health insurance plan that restricts you to a network of doctors. You have to use doctors within the network if you want coverage; going to an out-of-network doctor means you have to pay the full cost for your care.
HMOs also require you to pick a primary care doctor and use them to guide your health care. If you need to see a specialist, you first have to get a referral from your primary care doctor.
Remember that Kaiser Permanente also owns hospitals and medical offices. When you buy a Kaiser plan, you have to use Kaiser medical offices unless you have an emergency.
HMOs are usually cheap, but the trade-off is that you have a limited ability to pick your own doctors. However, if all the doctors you want to see are within the network, HMOs can be a good way to save money on health insurance.
In Oregon, Kaiser Permanente sells EPO plans. Also called exclusive provider organizations, EPOs are similar to HMOs because they don't let you go outside the network unless you're having an emergency. But unlike with an HMO, you can get care from a specialist without a referral, as long as you stay inside the network.
Kaiser Permanente Medicaid and programs for those with low incomes
Kaiser Permanente also works with some state Medicaid programs. If you have a low income and can get Medicaid, you may be able to choose a health insurance company, including Kaiser, to manage your coverage.
In addition, Kaiser also offers what it calls a "Community Health Coverage Program (CHCP)" that helps people who can't afford health insurance and can't get Medicaid.
There's also a Medical Financial Assistance program that offers free or reduced-cost health care services if you can't afford to pay for care.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans
Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans are highly rated and have excellent coverage, but they tend to be very expensive.
The plans will, however, let you pay a lower amount for your medical care compared to other companies' plans. For example, you usually have to pay $436 each year toward your medications yourself before your Medicare Advantage plan starts paying. This is called your drug deductible. With a Kaiser plan, the average drug deductible is just $3.
How much does Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage cost?
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans are typically expensive compared to competitors.
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- Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans aren't usually a good deal because of their high rates.
- The company's plans are highly rated, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). However, you can often get a plan with a similar or even better rating, including a 5-star plan, from another company.
- But a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan might be worth it if you've had Kaiser health insurance before and you want to continue seeing your same doctors when you switch to Medicare.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage rates vs. other companies
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $19 |
| Humana | $19 |
| BCBS | $26 |
| AARP / UnitedHealthcare | $28 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $49 |
Rates are averages for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage and only include the eight states and Washington, D.C., where Kaiser Permanente sells plans. Not all companies are available in all states.
How much is Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage in my state?
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans are more expensive than average everywhere you can get coverage.
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Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage rates by state
State | Kaiser rate | State avg. | % from average |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $45 | $15 | 200% more expensive |
| Colorado | $40 | $18 | 122% more expensive |
| Georgia | $21 | $12 | 75% more expensive |
| Hawaii | $143 | $40 | 258% more expensive |
| Maryland | $49 | $44 | 11% more expensive |
Rates are averages for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage.
What Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans are available?
While Kaiser sells several different Medicare Advantage plans, the options depend on where you live.
For example, Kaiser offers a plan called the Senior Advantage Enhanced plan in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. But some plans, such as the Medicare Advantage Key plan and the Medicare Advantage High plan, are only available in one place.
Kaiser offers more types of Medicare Advantage plans than it does health plans. For example, in Colorado, you can get a PPO plan, which doesn't restrict you to a network. That means you can go to any doctor and still have some coverage.
But most of Kaiser's Medicare Advantage plans are still HMOs that require you to use Kaiser's doctors. Some plans are HMO-POS plans, which let you go outside the network if you're willing to pay for a higher share of your medical care.
Kaiser does not sell stand-alone Part D plans or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. If you want one of these plans, you'll have to shop around with other companies.
Where is Kaiser Permanente available?
Kaiser Permanente sells health insurance and Medicare Advantage in eight states and Washington, D.C.
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Oregon
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
Even though Kaiser is only in a few states, it's still one of the biggest health insurance companies in the country. That's because Kaiser is very popular in the states where it sells plans. It's the largest health insurance company by total enrollment in the U.S., despite only selling policies in eight states.
Kaiser also sells the most group health insurance plans and the ninth-most individual health insurance plans in the country.
Kaiser Permanente coverage, member resources and unique features
Kaiser Permanente's health coverage stands out in two ways:
- Its integration of health insurance with its medical offices makes it easier for you to track costs, manage claims and get medical care.
- The strong preventive care program includes access to screenings, health resources, lifestyle programs and health classes.
Depending on your plan and where you live, Kaiser's member services may include:
- Diabetes testing
- Medications to stop smoking
- Mental health screenings
- Vaccines, including for travel
- Various cancer screenings
- Vasectomy services
- Weight management
- Women's health services
The company's great online tools also set it apart from other companies. Many plans include:
- Telehealth over phone, video or email
- Online access to health records including test results, doctor's notes and vaccination records
- A cost lookup tool
- The ability to schedule or cancel appointments
- Health insurance management including tracking your deductible
Plus, there are other health resources including discounted gym memberships, health calculators and discounted massage therapy.
Kaiser Permanente reviews and complaints
Kaiser Permanente gets top-tier scores for coverage and customer service.
How satisfied are existing customers?
In 2025, J.D. Power ranked Kaiser Permanente highly for customer satisfaction. The study looked specifically at group health insurance plans, but the overall satisfaction of Kaiser's members points toward the quality of the company's coverage and service.
In a separate J.D. Power study of Medicare Advantage customers, Kaiser ranked as the best company in California.
How are Kaiser's health plans ranked?
Kaiser Permanente is one of the best-rated companies on HealthCare.gov. Kaiser gets perfect overall 5-star ratings in every state where it sells plans. That means its health insurance plans give you access to good medical care and excellent customer service.
Does Kaiser Permanente get many complaints?
In most states, Kaiser gets very few complaints about its health insurance plans. This likely means customers are usually happy with their coverage and Kaiser's service.
However, in Colorado, Kaiser got more than five times the expected number of complaints. The most common complaints were related to claims being denied and issues with copays.
Does Kaiser Permanente have good doctors and medical care?
According to HealthCare.gov, Kaiser Permanente plans have excellent medical care. Kaiser gets a 5-star rating for medical care in every state except Colorado, where the rating is a respectable 4 stars.
Additionally, California's state report card gives Kaiser a 5-star rating for medical care. However, Kaiser only gets a 2-star rating for "overall patient experience" in Northern California and a 3-star rating for the same category in Southern California.
What do Medicare Advantage policyholders say?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gives Kaiser Permanente a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars for its Medicare Advantage plans. Kaiser gets a perfect 5-star rating for the prescription drug portion of its Medicare Advantage plans.
But the company gets low ratings in the "getting needed care" and "getting appointments and care quickly" categories. This means you might struggle to set the medical appointments you need if you have a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage lawsuit
Several of Kaiser Permanente's companies in California and Colorado agreed to pay $556 million to settle a lawsuit against the companies' Medicare Advantage plans.
The lawsuit alleged that Kaiser asked its doctors to submit incorrect diagnostic codes for Medicare Advantage patients to make them seem like they needed more care than they actually did. That meant Kaiser got more money from the federal government than it should have.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kaiser good insurance?
Yes, Kaiser Permanente is a good health insurance company, earning top scores for its regular health insurance plans in areas such as customer satisfaction, preventive care and overall experience. However, Kaiser's Medicare plans are expensive, and they usually aren't the best option.
Does Kaiser have HMO plans or PPO plans?
Most Kaiser health insurance plans are HMOs, meaning you'll generally have lower monthly costs, but your health coverage is limited to in-network doctors and facilities. Kaiser only sells PPO plans for Medicare Advantage and through its group health insurance plans.
How much is Kaiser insurance per month?
On average, a Silver plan from Kaiser Permanente costs $595 per month for a 40-year-old. Your rate depends on where you live and the specific Kaiser plan you buy, as well as how many people you need to insure, whether or not you smoke, and how old you are.
Does Kaiser offer "Obamacare" insurance plans?
Yes, you can buy Kaiser Permanente insurance from the "Obamacare" health insurance marketplace. You can only buy a Kaiser plan if you live in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Oregon, Maryland, Virginia, Washington or Washington, D.C.
What is the downside to Kaiser Permanente?
Kaiser Permanente's plans require you to use Kaiser doctors and hospitals, which gives you less flexibility to choose where you get medical care. If all your doctors are part of Kaiser's medical system, its health insurance can be a great option. But if you travel often or want the freedom to see any doctor regardless of their affiliation with Kaiser, you should get quotes from other companies.
Methodology and sources
Health insurance and Medicare Advantage rate data for 2026 is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website.
Health insurance rates and quality
ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files (PUFs) to find average rates for different plan tiers, geographic locations and family sizes.
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Rates for Bronze plans include regular and Expanded Bronze plans for 2024, 2025 and 2026, when the plans are available. Your costs and plan options will vary; plans aren't always available in all parts of a state or county.
Health insurance plan quality ratings are also from CMS. Affordable Care Act (ACA) ratings show how the company performs for medical care, member experience and plan administration. This 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from last year.
Medicare Advantage rates and quality
Rates and plan info for Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans came from the CMS public use files. Rates are for 2026 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage.
Employer-sponsored plans, Medicare medical savings account (MSA) plans, prepayment plans (HCPPs), Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, sanctioned plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) were excluded from our analysis. Averages are grouped by consumer brand and include company subsidiaries.
Medicare Advantage company reviews are based on several factors, including cost, coverage, service and company networks. Star rating info also comes from CMS and is for 2026 plans.
Health insurance company size
Data on Kaiser Permanente's market share and enrollment size is from S&P Capital IQ. All numbers were pulled in August 2025 and based on the most recent annual data available, which was for the 2024 calendar year. Enrollment data includes group and individual health insurance plans and does not include Medicare or Medicaid. National data and California data are reported separately but have been combined.
Company ratings
ValuePenguin's experts rate health insurance companies based on a review of cost, coverage, customer service and unique value. Each company is given a score out of 100, which then translates to a score from 1 to 5 stars.
Other sources
Other sources include the California Department of Insurance, HealthCare.gov, J.D. Power, KFF, Medicare.gov and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
About the Author
Senior Writer
Cate Deventer is a Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Referenced by
- CBS
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Education
- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
