WHOA!

From Inova, which provides the majority of medical care here in Northern Virginia:

A note to our patients about Kaiser Permanente

As of October 1, 2013, Inova facilities and physicians do not have contracts with Kaiser Permanente to provide in-network services. That means that Kaiser members, including health insurance exchange plan members, will no longer be allowed non-emergency access to Inova facilities, physicians, or outpatient services. The only exceptions to this fact are: Kaiser members who require emergency care; any Kaiser member who is part of our lung transplant program; and any Kaiser member who was receiving inpatient care or recurring outpatient care at an Inova location before October 1, 2013.

With our five hospitals and 140 additional locations in northern Virginia, including urgent and emergency care centers, physician offices and physical therapy centers, Inova offers convenient access and choice to the communities we serve.

If you would like to rely on Inova for your health and medical needs and are able, please consider choosing a health plan that gives you access to Inova. We participate with many of the leading commercial insurance plans.

If you have any questions, please contact your benefits administrator, Kaiser member services, or your physician.

More details about the Inova system HERE.

 Fairfax Hospital is part of the Inova system:

Inova Fairfax Hospital is the largest hospital in Northern Virginia and the flagship hospital of Inova Health System. Located in Fairfax County, Virginia, Inova Fairfax Hospital is one of the largest employers in the County. The hospital campus includes the only heart institute in the region, the 156-bed Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, as well as the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. Northern Virginia’s only Children’s Hospital – largest Neonatal Intensive-Care Unit in the region, dedicated Pediatric intensive care, oncology unit, adolescent unit, cardiac surgery and pediatric surgery center.

The above change in accessing Inova will affect Fairfax County employees and retirees as well as innumerable others.