Getting care with Kaiser Permanente WA

With a Kaiser Permanente WA health plan, you get access to high-quality health care, when you want it. Whether you choose to come in to a medical center, engage with your care team through email for nonurgent issues, talk to a clinician with an online chat, or call our 24/7 advice line, you can access care on your own time. We also have mail-order pharmacy services and a mobile app.


How do I choose a personal provider, and how can I change providers?

To find a provider, check our website for the most current information, refer to our Provider Directory, or call Member Services at 1-866-648-1928 (TTY 711). Our Member Services representatives can help you choose a provider based on location, special interests, gender, or other factors that are important to you. Also remember that each family member may choose a different provider. If you want to change providers for any reason, you can at any time.

How can I see a specialist?

With your Kaiser Permanente WA health plan, you can choose your specialists — most without a referral. These specialists are located at our Kaiser Permanente medical facilities. To find out which specialists are available, please call Member Services at 1-866-648-1928 or speak to your primary care provider. If you need or if your condition warrants you to see a specialist who does not practice at a Kaiser Permanente medical facility, talk with your primary care provider about a referral.

How do you cover services like acupuncture and naturopathy?

The PEBB plans cover a limited number of acupuncture, naturopathy, and chiropractic visits without requiring a referral from your primary care provider. Massage therapy services require a prescription and care plan from your primary care provider, if they determine the services are medically necessary.

How do I access routine care?

Routine care is available at Kaiser Permanente medical locations or at facilities in our contracted network. Please refer to your Provider Directory for specific phone numbers for the facility of your choice.

How do I access urgent care?

Most of our medical centers have urgent care centers, with evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

For urgent care during business hours, call your provider's office or the 24/7 advice line. For urgent care after business hours, on weekends, or on holidays, call the advice line at 206-630-2244 for the Seattle area. For all other areas in Washington state, call 1-800-297-6877. A clinician will listen to your concerns and direct you to the most appropriate care.

How do I access emergency care?

In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. If you are unable to do so, ask someone to call for you or to take you to the nearest emergency care facility. Remember that you may save money if you go to an emergency room at any of our contracted hospitals if possible. Refer to our Get Care page for more information. The 24/7 advice line can also direct you to the best place near you for your particular emergency.

How do I know if I need urgent or emergency care?

When you want care advice or need to know if you should get immediate medical attention, Kaiser Permanente WA's advice line can help 24 hours a day. In the Seattle area, call 206-630-2244. For all other areas in Washington state, call 1-800-297-6877.

Use emergency care for sudden, unexpected medical conditions that, in the reasonable judgment of a prudent layperson, would endanger a person's life or seriously harm the person's health if not treated immediately by a licensed medical professional. Emergency medical conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • Suspected heart attack or stroke
  • Sudden or extreme difficulty breathing
  • Bleeding that will not stop or deep cuts
  • Major burns
  • Seizures
  • Sudden and severe headache or abdominal pain
  • Poisoning or suspected poisoning

If someone in my family gets a serious illness and needs hospitalization, where will they go if I am a Kaiser Permanente WA member?

Kaiser Permanente WA has hospitals across our service area. Your primary care provider will help coordinate your care to the place that best suits your needs.

How do I access routine care, urgent care, and emergency care when I'm away from home?

You are covered for emergency and medically necessary urgent care worldwide. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or the local emergency number where you are visiting. If you are admitted to the hospital, you or a family member must call the Hospital Notification Line at 1-888-457-9516 within 24 hours or as soon as reasonably possible. For other care out-of-area, call the 24/7 advice line for advice on what to do for your particular health issue.

What services are offered at Kaiser Permanente WA medical facilities?

You can get one-stop services at most of our Kaiser Permanente medical facilities where you'll find that, in addition to seeing your provider, you usually can get lab tests, X-rays, and pharmacy services. Our Kaiser Permanente medical facilities also provide specialty care services. See our Provider Directory for a list of Kaiser Permanente specialists and where they are located.

Kaiser Permanente WA is very proactive about preventive care. What resources are available to me?

At Kaiser Permanente WA, we believe in getting healthy and staying that way. That's why we offer an array of wellness resources and put a priority on preventive care, so you can avoid problems before they start. From your annual wellness visit and recommended screenings, to a proactive health risk assessment questionnaire, to access to health coaching 24/7, we provide you with a variety of clinical help so that you can be your healthiest self. We also have tobacco cessation programs, classes and support groups, and a whole lot more.