Kaiser Permanente Colorado is teaming up with Centura Health as part of a new agreement that will provide more choices to its members in terms of where they can receive care. Now Kaiser health insurance members in the Southern Colorado region will have more flexibility when they require hospital services in the area.

As part of this new agreement, Kaiser health insurance members will be able to acquire medical services at Centura Health's St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo. Kaiser Permanente is trying to expand its presence in Southern Colorado and give members the ability to choose hospitals closer to home without paying non-member fees. All of these efforts tie in to the provision of affordability and choice to Southern Colorado.

Kaiser Permanente Colorado has made a commitment to providing more choices for patients and expanding access to health care for communities in the lower region of this state. Medicare beneficiaries in El Paso, Teller, Pueblo and Fremont counties began enrolling in Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans in January 2009, and in July of the same year the organization will be launching a line commercial of business in the counties. With more than 600 residents in Southern Colorado having chosen Kaiser Permanente as their Medicare Advantage provider since the expansion to Pueblo and surrounding communities, the need for flexible medical care options is clear. The organization plans to make more services available to Kaiser health insurance members in the near future.

All Kaiser Permanente Colorado members in the Southern Colorado region have the unique advantage of access to an expansive network of community-based physicians as well as a brand new Kaiser medical office that is staffed with primary care physicians, nurses and pharmacists. The organization should continue to expand their services in the beautiful growing region in years to come.