Kaiser Permanente expands virtual care offerings to better address member needs during and post COVID-19 pandemic; will not reopen CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente at Bartell Drugs locations
By Kaiser Permanente | Press Release
SEATTLE, Wash. — Following the rapid adoption of, and increasing demand for, virtual care across Washington state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaiser Permanente announced the permanent closure of CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente at Bartell Drugs locations, temporarily closed in March during the state-mandated stay-at-home orders.
As part of an increased focus on virtual care options during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaiser Permanente is accelerating virtual growth to provide its more than 700,000 members in Washington state with enhanced access to quicker and more affordable care through options including e-visits, its Consulting Nurse Service, Care Chat online messaging, and video and phone visits.
“Virtual care is the health care of today and tomorrow,” said Paul Minardi, MD, president and executive medical director of Washington Permanente Medical Group. “The pandemic has reinforced the need to provide care in the most convenient, accessible, and safe way for our members, and that’s what this evolution in care does.”
In-person appointments, as well as pharmacy, imaging, and laboratory services, will continue to be available at Kaiser Permanente medical facilities in Ballard, Bellevue, Bremerton, Burien, Everett, Factoria, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Kendall Yards, Kent, Lidgerwood, Lynnwood, Northgate, Northshore, Olympia, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Puyallup, Rainier, Redmond, Renton, Seattle (Capitol Hill), Silverdale, South Lake Union, Spokane (Riverfront and South Hill), Smokey Point, Steele Street, Tacoma, Tacoma Mall, Veradale, and West Olympia. Additionally, Kaiser Permanente urgent care facilities in Bellevue, Seattle (Capitol Hill), Olympia, Silverdale, and Tacoma will continue to treat patients in-person.
Minardi said, “We will continue to look closely at what our members need from us during the COVID-19 pandemic, respecting their choices and preferences, improving our virtual tools, and honoring the need for face-to-face care when preferred by the patient or recommended by the clinician.”
“Since 2013, our CareClinics with Kaiser Permanente have been an important growth strategy for Bartell Drugs and strengthened our health care services. We understand the need for change in the COVID-19 environment and look to continue building our relationship with Kaiser Permanente in relevant ways,” said Kathi Lentzsch, CEO of Bartell Drugs.
Kaiser Permanente members who have questions about their care can contact Member Services at 1-888-901-4636, or call or email their doctor.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington are committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.4 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.
Author: Mario Lotmore
