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Kaiser HMO

A Kaiser Permanente – California plan

Kaiser is an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) with a closed network of providers. Washington Center employees can choose the Kaiser Mid-Atlantic HMO plan at the same monthly premium cost as Kaiser CA HMO (with eligibility expanding in 2027 to employees from any UC location who live and work in the Mid-Atlantic region from any UC location).

The information below is a summary. See plan documents for details.

Open Enrollment for 2027 benefits begins on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. and ends on Friday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. See below for a few changes to Kaiser HMO benefits and costs.

  • Full Full eligibility available
  • Mid Mid eligibility available
  • Core Core eligibility available
  • Retirees Retirees eligibility available

How the plan works

  • You choose a primary care physician (PCP) from Kaiser’s network.
  • The PCP coordinates your care and refers you to specialists.
  • The plan covers the cost of services only when your primary care physician authorizes it.
  • Kaiser provides coverage for services outside of the network only in cases of emergency and urgently needed services.
  • Behavioral health benefits are provided by Kaiser and Optum (enter company access code 11280 to register for an account).
  • See updated information about coverage for COVID tests.
  • You’re covered for emergency and urgent care anywhere in the world if you get hurt or sick while traveling. Visit Care While Traveling on the Kaiser Permanente website or call the Away from Home Travel Line at 951-268-3900. 

Best fit for you if:

  • You and the family members you cover live in California
  • You want low monthly premiums
  • You want low, predictable out-of-pocket costs
  • You like having one doctor manage your care
  • You are happy with the selection of providers within the Kaiser system

Understanding your costs

When choosing a plan, make sure to consider all your costs — including your monthly premiums and what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket for care. ALEX will ask you a few questions to help you estimate how much you may need to spend.

Monthly premium costs for faculty and staff in 2027 Monthly premium costs for retirees in 2026 Monthly premium costs for retirees in 2027

Enrolling in Medicare

Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage is considered the “partner plan” of Kaiser HMO. That means that if you are a retiree enrolled in Kaiser HMO, you’ll be transferred into Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage when you turn 65, once Medicare has approved your enrollment form.

If you will be Medicare-eligible in 2026 and would like to learn more about Kaiser Senior Advantage, register for a virtual information session.

Plan documents

Find plan documents for Kaiser CA HMO and Kaiser Mid-Atlantic HMO on the Kaiser website.

Optum Behavioral Health Plan Booklet PDF

Read Kaiser plan documents

Contact information: Kaiser CA HMO members

  • English: 800-464-4000
  • Español: 800-788-0616
  • Chinese dialects: 800-757-7585
  • Prospective members: 800-324-9208
  • Optum (behavioral health): 888-440-8225

Contact information: UCOP Washington Center

  • Kaiser Mid-Atlantic: 800-777-7902