Kaiser Permanente Northern California received national accreditation and the highest level of recognition for Patient-Centered Medical Homes.
The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA), a national nonprofit dedicated to improving health care quality, has recognized all Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California locations providing adult and pediatric primary care services with its highest-level accreditation.
Fifty-four medical centers and medical office buildings where Kaiser Permanente primary care physicians practice were recognized by NCQA as Patient-Centered Medical Homes receiving Level 3 status, the highest level possible.
The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a widely accepted model of offering patients better access to health care and improved quality. The recognition from NCQA is given to provider practices that meet specific standards and provide high-quality primary care while managing the overall health of their patients.
“This recognition distinguishes Kaiser Permanente’s approach to care and how our integrated model keeps our members and patients at the center of everything we do. Our focus on coordination and communication results in better experiences for both members and physicians,” said Gregory A. Adams, group president and regional president, Northern California Region, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan.
PCMH is a way of organizing primary care that emphasizes care coordination and communication — including expanded hours, electronic communication, and participation of patients in decisions about their care — to deliver primary care that best suits patients’ needs. Medical homes, according to research, can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patients’ and providers’ experiences.
“I am proud that the physicians who practice in Kaiser Permanente continue to be recognized nationally for their clinical excellence and the success they have had in providing patients with the highest quality outcomes and the most convenient service possible,” said Robert Pearl, MD, executive director and CEO of The Permanente Medical Group.
“Receiving this recognition from a prestigious organization like NCQA is a tribute to their dedication and highlights the vital role primary care plays in quality excellence. As the country’s largest medical group, with over 8,000 physicians, we are national leaders in prevention, achieving outstanding patient outcomes and offering the most sophisticated and complex clinical interventions,” Dr. Pearl said.
Kaiser Permanente physicians who provide adult and pediatric primary care services in a patient-centered medical home are also recognized by NCQA. NCQA lists PCMH-recognized physicians on their public website. View the NCQA physician list.
