Satisfaction with health care coverage and customer service contributed to Kaiser Foundation health Plan ranking the highest in California in a study done by J.D. Power and Associates.

This was the second year in a row that the Kaiser Foundation health Plan achieved a top ranking in the 2009 National Health Insurance Plan Study. The study measures satisfaction among 131 health plans in 17 regions throughout the country.

The study looks at coverage and benefits; provider choice; information and communication; claims processing; statements; customer service; and approval processes.

People are looking into what options they have for health care while at the same time health plans risk losing members as some companies strive to cut costs by switching health plans, ,” said Jim Dougherty, executive director of the healthcare practice at Westlake Village-based J.D. Power and Associates.

“In light of heightened consumer scrutiny and the increased likelihood of switching, many health plans appear to be focusing on member satisfaction more than ever before as a means of retaining members,” Dougherty said.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan achieves a score of 769 on a 1,000-point scale in 2009, performing particularly well in five of seven factors: coverage and benefits; information and communication; statements; customer service; and approval processes.