2020 network changes will draw more members into Kaiser Permanente care

Sep. 17, 2019

Starting January 1, 2020, we’re making changes to the Core network in our Puget Sound and Northern Washington service areas. These changes are part of our ongoing efforts to bring more members into Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care system.

What’s changing?

  • We are eliminating a group of ob-gyn, primary care, and pharmacy network providers in our Core commercial networks in Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Kitsap, and King counties.
  • Kaiser Permanente will no longer participate as an HMO health care carrier in San Juan County, and HMO plans will no longer be offered in San Juan County beginning in 2020.

These changes will affect approximately 10,000 of our nearly 700,000 members.

How will members be notified?

Affected members will receive letters later this month. In addition, our Member Services team will make outreach calls in October and November to explain the changes, answer questions, and help transition care if needed. Members currently receiving care as part of a specific referral from an affected provider will be able to complete their care. These network changes will be reflected in our 2020 plan offerings.

Have questions?

If you have questions about the information we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks and months, please contact your Kaiser Permanente account manager.


All carrier plans offered and underwritten by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington or Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Options, Inc. Self-funded health benefits are insured by an employer, union, or Plan sponsor. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, Inc., provide certain administrative services for the self-funded Plan and are not an insurer of the Plan or financially liable for health care benefits under the Plan.

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