Kaiser Permanente Colorado and Centura Health announced Friday that they have expanded their coverage to include Penrose St. Francis Health Services.

Previously, Kaiser policy holders were only covered for treatment at Memorial Hospital. Kaiser said their policy holders requested more choice in their treatment and flexibility with hospitals closer to their home, no matter where they live.

Kaiser has signed a new 3-year hospital services agreement with Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs. It will go into effect January 1, 2010. On that day, all Kaiser policy holders will have the option receiving treatment at any Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, including Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center.

“This change is not only an effort to be responsive to our members and local businesses but it also represents a high-quality and affordable addition to our already outstanding healthcare network in Southern Colorado,” explains Mark Iorio, executive director, Network Development and Market Expansion, Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

For more information, contact your Kaiser Permanente customer service representative.