Kaiser question

vkgirl9193 · May 16, 2008

Hopefully I can help you, I've been with Kaiser for 10 years this July - but not in nursing....yet (I hope).

First off, which area do you live in? There are different nursing unions within California, so there are differences. However, most benefits are fairly universal between unions/job classes. Plus, I'm not quite sure what a traveler RN is. But, if you are employed by Kaiser the following benefits would typically apply.

1. Generally speaking, Kaiser gives medical benefits when you are in a part time position of 20 hrs/week (minimum). Typically, whole family is covered (age restrictions for kids), $0 employee contribution and great coverage. Trust me, I know. Had 31 week preemie who was in NICU for 32 days and I was in for 6 days. Our total cost - $0.

2. It doesn't matter where you live. You can go to any Kaiser. It's not uncommon for us to have members who live in states (AZ) that don't have Kaiser, but have kept their Kaiser coverage and see their physicians here in California. Yep, really.

I hope that helps!

ethelbsnrn · May 17, 2008

Hopefully I can help you, I've been with Kaiser for 10 years this July - but not in nursing....yet (I hope).
First off, which area do you live in? There are different nursing unions within California, so there are differences. However, most benefits are fairly universal between unions/job classes. Plus, I'm not quite sure what a traveler RN is. But, if you are employed by Kaiser the following benefits would typically apply.
1. Generally speaking, Kaiser gives medical benefits when you are in a part time position of 20 hrs/week (minimum). Typically, whole family is covered (age restrictions for kids), $0 employee contribution and great coverage. Trust me, I know. Had 31 week preemie who was in NICU for 32 days and I was in for 6 days. Our total cost - $0.
2. It doesn't matter where you live. You can go to any Kaiser. It's not uncommon for us to have members who live in states (AZ) that don't have Kaiser, but have kept their Kaiser coverage and see their physicians here in California. Yep, really.
I hope that helps!

With the whole family - does that mean even the parents or parents-in-law of employees?

Thanks.

suzanne4, RN · May 17, 2008

If you are a travel nurse at Kaiser, you are not an employee of theirs. So the only way that you could get their insurance would be if your employer actually offers it. As a travel nurse, you are not entitled to any benefits that their employees receive.

suzanne4, RN · May 17, 2008

With the whole family - does that mean even the parents or parents-in-law of employees?
Thanks.

No, it only covers spouses and children. Parents are neve covered under your insurance plan anywhere.

vkgirl9193 · May 17, 2008

I was thinking that's what was meant by travelling, but I just wasn't sure with all the different terminology out there. I know that we had or may still have the option to cover parents, but at a HUGE cost. My mom's premium was like $600-800 per month. But, she couldn't get any coverage due to COPD/Asthma, and this didn't exclude membership due to pre-existing conditions. I think our nursing union (Orange County) offered that as well. There are a certain amount of benefits that tend to cross all unions, but not all!

I know I like working for Kaiser and do plan on staying with them once I complete ns. Yes, it's not perfect, but our pay is competitive and so are the benefits. For example, at 10 years I receive - 20 days vacation, 3 weeks sick time, 5 Flex days, retirement (don't ask me, I don't know what the specifics), and benefits that cover my immediate family (spouse and children). From what I understand, the UNAC contract is essentially the same.

suzanne4, RN · May 17, 2008

I was thinking that's what was meant by travelling, but I just wasn't sure with all the different terminology out there. I know that we had or may still have the option to cover parents, but at a HUGE cost. My mom's premium was like $600-800 per month. But, she couldn't get any coverage due to COPD/Asthma, and this didn't exclude membership due to pre-existing conditions. I think our nursing union (Orange County) offered that as well. There are a certain amount of benefits that tend to cross all unions, but not all!
I know I like working for Kaiser and do plan on staying with them once I complete ns. Yes, it's not perfect, but our pay is competitive and so are the benefits. For example, at 10 years I receive - 20 days vacation, 3 weeks sick time, 5 Flex days, retirement (don't ask me, I don't know what the specifics), and benefits that cover my immediate family (spouse and children). From what I understand, the UNAC contract is essentially the same.

But that amount is not what we would call coverage for them, they are not included as your immediate family in determining coverage. Do not think that it is even an option any longer. Insurance has changed significantly over the past few years.

vkgirl9193 · May 17, 2008

While, no they are not covered by my plan, they are still able to receive medical coverage. The fact is, that for several years prior to age 65, my mom could not get medical insurance due to pre-existing conditions. About 6 years ago, they announced parent coverage benefits. Basically, if you had a parent who wanted Kaiser, but couldn't get it on their own - like my mom - they would be able to become a member without being denied because of pre-existing conditions. But, they would need to pay the premium. Our concern for our mom getting financially wiped out from a bad asthma attack and reliance on medication from Mexico prompted her to sign up for this coverage she would otherwise never be able to get if not for my being an employee. So, it is coverage and it is considered a benefit by Kaiser.

My first post was not meant to mislead the OP in thinking that parents were covered for free. When I think whole family, I think of spouse and children.

I just double checked the HR site, and it is still being offered for UNAC and UHW. My contract says that this is from the National contract.

VegasNurse05 · May 18, 2008

Thank you for all the replies. So my next question is....are there any travel companies that offer Kaiser insurance??

portobello · Jun 18, 2008

do kaiser hires newly Grad RNs? i have my BSN-RN but no experience at all coz i just passed my nclex license last dec of 2007.

i wonder if they are open for the whole year or if they have any nursing shortage? is july and august good to apply to them?

stelon · Jun 18, 2008

do kaiser hires newly Grad RNs? i have my BSN-RN but no experience at all coz i just passed my nclex license last dec of 2007.
i wonder if they are open for the whole year or if they have any nursing shortage? is july and august good to apply to them?

Not necessarily Kaiser specific, but I think I would try to avoid applying in July/August. The other women I work with (not at Kaiser, but still Southern CA) have told me it slows WAY down in July/August. They told me that last year they actually closed some of our DOU (tele) units for a time. They had to rotate putting people on call, or if you did go in you were always floating.

I was hired in late October. I don't know if it makes a difference as an RN--I'm a CNA--but figured I'd mention what I've been told. Ironically, I'm on call today, and staffing said I'm first on the list to be called in. And I floated my last work day. Maybe it's beginning.

smoke over fire · Jun 23, 2008

2005 National agreement (Contract) States:

c. Parent Coverage

Parents and parents-in-law of eligible employees

residing in the same service area will be able to purchase

Health Plan coverage, in accordance with the

Letter of Agreement ....

Eligible Employees

In order for an employee's parents to qualify for this coverage,

the employee must be an active employee represented by a Kaiser Permanente National Partnership Union and be eligible for medical benefits, whether or not he or she actually enrolls in Health Plan coverage....

Eligible Parents

The following are considered eligible parents and may enroll in Parent Medical Coverage as long as the employee through whom they claim coverage meets the eligibility requirements above:

* Employee's natural parents.

* Employee's stepparents, if still married to or widowed from employee's natural parent. Widowed stepparents who remarry will not be eligible for coverage.

* A domestic partner of employee's parent. The domestic partner will be required to complete an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership.

* Employee's spouse's or domestic partner's natural parents.

* Employee's spouse's or domestic partner's stepparents, if still married to or widowed from spouse's or domestic partner's natural parent. Widowed stepparents who remarry will not be eligible for coverage.

* A domestic partner of spouse's parent. The domestic partner will be required to complete an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership.

To be eligible, parents and parents-in-law must reside in the same region as the Partnership Union employee through whom coverage is being offered. For the purposes

of this plan, Northern California and Southern California will be considered separate regions.

http://www.lmpartnership.org/contracts/agreements/docs/2005_national_agreement_agreement.pdf

Now the way it was explained to me is that the amount is less if the parents are eligible for Medicare because they purchase Kaiser as a Plan B just like any HMO.