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Kaiser Permanente vs. CareSource Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Kaiser Permanente and CareSource side by side.
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 Written & Edited by Fran Majidi Fran MajidiFran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i... Read more |
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Kaiser Permanente vs. CareSource: What You Need to Know
After the war ended the shipyard workforce fell from 90,000 to 13,000. Only 12 of 75 medical group providers remained. On July 21, 1945, the Permanente Health Plan opened to the public to continue the health care delivery set up by Kaiser and Garfield. In 10 years, more than 300,000 people enrolled in Northern California with the support of two unions, the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union and the Retail Clerks Union.
In 1953, the name of the health plan and the hospitals were changed from Permanente to Kaiser Permanente. Even today, there are ties between the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals and the Permanente Medical Groups.
In 1989, CareSource was founded on the premise of providing quality health care coverage for Medicaid consumers. Today it offers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans. CareSource also offers private health insurance plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, including Medicare Advantage and MyCare Ohio plans. CareSource has more than 1.9 million members across five states. The company employs about 3,800 people and is considered a nonprofit organization.
To learn more about each company, you can check out the Kaiser Permanente Overview and CareSource Overview.
What is Kaiser Permanente and CareSource Insurance Rating?
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how Kaiser Permanente and CareSource ranked among the industry ratings.
| Comparison | Kaiser Permanente | CareSource |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1945 | 1989 |
| Medicare Star Rating | 5 stars (out of 5) | 2.5 stars (out of 5) |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.36% for group health | 7.17% |
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Pros & Cons of Kaiser Permanente or CareSource
Pros
Kaiser Permanente
- Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
- Low complaint ratio for group health plans.
CareSource
- CareSource is one of a few options that lower-income, underserved communities have for a managed health plan.
- Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
Cons
Kaiser Permanente
- Kaiser Permanente is only available in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
CareSource
- CareSource has a high number of complaints.
Kaiser Permanente and CareSource Mobile Apps Options
The Kaiser Permanente app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, and pay your bill. They also offer an app called Humana Pharmacy which helps you to manage your prescriptions.
The CareSource app allows you to view your digital ID Card, find a doctor, file claims, make payments, and more.
| Kaiser Permanente Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 3.1 | 2K users |
| Android | 4.3 | 16,728 users |
| CareSource Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4 | 1K users |
| Android | 3.3 | 397 users |
Kaiser Permanente and CareSource Enrollment Process
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes.
Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/. You can also schedule a personal appointment with a local Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist: 1-866-973-4588.
CareSource
CareSource is available through the health insurance marketplace by searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes with SmartFinancial.
Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/. Also, remember that CareSource only covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Georgia, and West Virginia.
How to File a Claim with Kaiser Permanente and CareSource Insurance
Kaiser Permanente
To submit claims for reimbursement, contact member services at 1-888-901-4636. Otherwise, you should be covered except for copay. If you need reimbursement for Medicare Part D prescriptions, you must use the Member reimbursement drug claim form (PDF). For all other prescriptions (non-Medicare and Medicare without Part D) you must use this Prescription claim form (PDF).
CareSource
CareSource accepts claims in various formats, including paper and electronic claims. Reimbursement is based on the prevailing state Medicaid or Medicare fee schedule. With Marketplace Plans, you can make claims inquiries at (866) 286-9949 (Indiana), (855) 852-5558 (Kentucky), (937) 224-3300 (Ohio), (678) 214 7500, (Georgia) and (855) 202-1091 (West Virginia). Visit your app or www.caresource.com to find the right claim forms for the state in which you live.
Common Questions About CareSource and Kaiser Permanente Insurance
Kaiser Permanente
How to check Kaiser coverage:
To see the status of your coverage or to see your benefits, sign onto kp.org. Select “Coverage & Cost” from the dashboard. Under “Plan Ahead” select “Eligibility and benefits.”
Does Kaiser Insurance cover ambulance?
Kaiser Permanente covers ambulance costs if the transportation is necessary or if a Kaiser Permanente physician or authorized staff member orders the ambulance or instructs the patient to call 911.
Does Kaiser cover therapists?
Kaiser offers mental health and wellness services with their basic plans, without charging extra.
How much is Kaiser Insurance?
In 2018, the average premium for single coverage was $575 per month or $6,896 per year. For a family, the average was $1,635 per month or $19,616 per year.
Check out our full list of common questions about Kaiser Permanente.
CareSource
What type of insurance is CareSource?
CareSource’s focus is on the underserved population. Most of their health plans have an income cap.
Is CareSource a HealthCare Government plan?
CareSource does offer government-subsidized plans and plans on the marketplace.
How do I know if I qualify for CareSource?
If you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, you are eligible for CareSource. Your savings on their marketplace plans are also based on total household income. Government plans require that all incomes in the household be taken into consideration unless the person is not required to file federal taxes.
What states does CareSource cover?
CareSource covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Georgia, and West Virginia.
Check out our full list of common questions about CareSource.
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Kaiser Permanente and CareSource Insurance Contact Info
| Kaiser Permanente Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Kaiser Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612 |
| Phone | 1 (510) 271-5910 |
| Website | https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/kpthrive/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZdtT_o6xZbMkRbLZJ7Zvg |
| https://twitter.com/aboutKP | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaiser-permanente/ | |
| CareSource Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 230 N. Main St., Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Phone | 1 (937) 224-3300 |
| Website | https://www.caresource.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/CareSource/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU8XjYqtJ-0 |
| https://twitter.com/caresource | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/caresource/ | |
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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