Programs

The Kaiser Permanente Health Care Career Scholarship Program

Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with Oregon Health Career Center, is pleased to announce a new scholarship program for students who dream of a career in the health care field.

• Up to 115 scholarships are available.
• Scholarships awarded in the amount of $2,000.
• Schools must be in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest service area.
• Applicants must be high school seniors during the 2008-2009 school year.
• Scholarships are driven by teacher recommendations.
• Applications must be completed and postmarked no later than Friday, January 9, 2009.
• Scholarship award winners will be announced in early May 2009.

To learn more about the Health Care Career Scholarship program, please download an application.
For the required Teacher Nomination Form, click here.

Medical Residency Programs

Every year, several hundred medical residents and fellows build their physician skills through Kaiser Permanente rotations. More than half of these are preparing for primary care practices.

Clinical Training

We also provide on-site clinical training for future nurse practitioners, physician assistants, optometrists, podiatrists, and behavioral health professionals.

Workforce Development Grants

Kaiser Permanente works with colleges and community organizations to increase the number of graduates who can deliver quality health care services. To address the growing shortage of nurses, we support nursing education in our region by making financial contributions to Chemeketa Community College. Other grants include:

• $250,000 over two years to the Oregon Center for Nursing
• $200,000 over two years to the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education
• $105,000 to the Oregon Health Career Center
• $300,000 over three years to the Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute
• $140,000 over two years to the Portland Schools Foundation for a Portland Workforce Alliance project
  

Dues Subsidy Program

The Dues Subsidy Program provides health care coverage to uninsured adults and children. We enroll several kinds of eligible people in Kaiser Permanente coverage, with no cost to them for premiums. We also work with other health plans, medical groups, trade associations, businesses, government organizations, and advocacy groups to build solutions for all uninsured children.

Medical Financial Assistance Program

The Medical Financial Assistance Program provides financial relief to both members and nonmembers who are not able to pay for medical services. The program supports Kaiser Permanente's commitment to contributing to the overall health of the community by providing care at discounted rates to uninsured nonmembers and providing some financial assistance to eligible low-income members who have difficulty paying for health care services.

To learn more about our Medical Financial Assistance Program, please download an application:
English financial assistance application
Vietnamese financial assistance application
Russian financial assistance application
Chinese financial assistance application
Spanish financial assistance application

Collection and Financial Assistance Policy

We help uninsured members of our communities receive care through our dues subsidy programs; partnerships with community clinics and public hospitals, participation in government programs; and charity care programs.

To assist those least able to pay, our programs put in place procedures that:

• will not place a lien on any patient's primary home
• will not take legal action for nonpayment of medical bills against any person who is unemployed and without other significant income
• will offer financial counseling to determine if a patient is eligible for public assistance or Kaiser Permanente financial assistance
• will discount charges for medically necessary services to a level comparable to either Medicare rates or the rates paid by Kaiser Permanente members for uninsured persons who show that their income is at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Our educational efforts include:

• Kids on the Block puppet shows
• Developing and distributing walking maps and pedometers for Ten Toe Express
• TV-Turnoff Week activities that provide physically active alternatives to TV and other screen time
• Support for local farms through the Interstate Farmers Market and supplying surplus farm produce to local schools and food banks
• Health Education Services classes and events
• Community forums on special topics, such as the increase of diabetes in young people

Educational Theatre Programs

Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Program is presented free of charge to schools and community organizations in Oregon and southwest Washington. Programs are presented in partnership with Oregon Children's theatre and are usually performed on school campuses.