File photo.

Kaiser Permanente has again been rated the highest in the region, and also boasts some of the highest scores among hospitals across the country, according to a recent rating by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

The committee rated Kaiser Permanente’s health and commercial plans with 4.5 out of 5 stars, marking the seventh period in which the provider has been the highest rated plan in the region.

“Our commitment to putting our patients’ health and safety at the center of all we do continues to be our priority and we are proud to be recognized for consistently providing high-quality care and service,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region of Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). “This recognition is a testament to the exceptional work being done every day by our physicians, nurses and staff to provide compassionate care and support to our patients and families.”

In over 1,000 health plans analyzed by NCQA, only 7% received 4.5 stars or higher. Kaiser Permanente’s commercial and Medicare plans each received or were tied for the highest ratings in every geographic region that it serves.

Kaiser Permanente serves more than 12.6 million members throughout eight states and the District of Columbia. Each of Kaiser’s health plans were rated 4 stars or higher.

The NCQA is a national organization that surveys health plans for performance in a variety of fields including consumer experience, prevention and treatment.