Update on facility openings
A Message from President Jim Simpson and Executive Medical Director Mary Wilson, MD, MPH
To our Valued Members,
We hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe. We’re writing today to update you about our plans for re-opening additional Kaiser Permanente facilities. As always, we’re committed to providing you with the highest quality care in the safest possible environment.
First, we want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We also thank you for doing your part to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). More members than ever are now getting care from the safety of home with our e-visits, phone appointments, and video visits.
Increasing access to in-person care
All along we’ve been providing in-person care to those who need it at select Kaiser Permanente facilities. Now we’re starting to increase access to care at those and other locations. As always, your safety, along with the safety of our caregivers, staff, and the community, remain the highest priority.
We’re taking a thoughtful, gradual approach that focuses on re-opening services where they’re needed most. When you need care, just call 404-365-0966, and we’ll help you find the most convenient way to get it. You can also find updates on the services available at each facility.
Providing care safely
We’re taking every precaution to make sure you and your family, as well as our clinicians and staff, are safe while getting or providing care. This includes following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and making sure we have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Here’s what we’re doing to make sure our facilities meet the highest safety standards:
- All our staff will be wearing masks
- Our staff will continue to be monitored for signs of COVID-19, and if they show symptoms, will not care for members
- Anyone entering our facilities will be asked to wear a mask
- We’re asking drivers to wait in cars when picking up members
- Upon entry, members will be screened for respiratory symptoms
- We’re using enhanced daily cleaning procedures
- We’re setting up waiting rooms so members sit six feet apart
- Hand sanitizers will be available to members and used by staff throughout the day
- Cough guards will be set up at check-in stations and the pharmacies
When you come in, you’ll be asked at the entrance if you have any respiratory symptoms and provided a mask to wear during your visit. (You can also wear a mask you brought from home.) Before and after check in, please clean your hands with the available hand sanitizer.
Care and prescriptions from home
Remember that we’ll continue to be here for you with phone, video, and e-visits at no copay (for most plans). These safe, convenient options are available for a wide variety of primary, specialty, and same or next-day care needs.
You can also order most prescription refills from the comfort of home by signing in at kp.org/rxrefill. There’s no cost for shipping, and you can have them delivered right to your home. If you need to go to a facility to get your medication, we still offer curbside pickup for:
- COVID-positive members
- Members who have recently been discharged from the hospital
- Those who have a compromised immune system
We’re here for you
We will continue to support you during this pandemic—with care from the safety of home; safe in-person care; wellness resources; and information to keep you updated every step of the way. We’re also proud to support the community by working with Emory on research trials for possible treatments, and with multiple companies to make sure health care providers have enough PPE. If we can help you with any COVID-related questions and concerns, just call us at 1-888-413-0601 or visit kp.org/coronavirus.
Thank you for allowing us to be your partner in health.
Be well,
Jim Simpson
President
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc.
Mary L. Wilson, MD, MPH
Executive Medical Director and President
The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, Inc.