We are disappointed that some unions have called on employees to participate in labor strikes. In Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, the 24-hour strike is scheduled from October 4 at 6 a.m. through October 5 at 6 a.m. In addition, OPEIU Local 2 has given notice to hold informational picketing at our facilities in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia from October 4 at 6 a.m. through October 7 at 6 a.m.
As a result of this activity, we may experience high call volumes resulting in longer than usual wait times. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
We want to reassure you that your care is our top priority. We have contingency plans in place to help ensure you continue to receive safe, high-quality care during this period.
Our medical centers will remain open during the strike and will be staffed by our physicians and trained and experienced managers and staff. If you think you are having a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Facility impacts
Some of our pharmacy and optometry departments in Virginia are temporarily impacted during the strike.
Pharmacy services
During a strike, members will have options to fill or refill their prescriptions:
Mail order. Fill your refill prescriptions, visit kp.org/pharmacy or sign into the Kaiser Permanente app and choose mail order.
Kaiser Permanente pharmacies. For new or urgent prescriptions during the strike, please visit kp.org/pharmacy or use the Kaiser Permanente app to find the nearest, open pharmacy.
Pharmacy locations in Maryland and the District of Columbia will remain open on October 4.
The following pharmacies in Northern Virginia will be closed on October 4:
- Burke Medical Center Pharmacy
- Colonial Forge Medical Center Pharmacy
- Haymarket Crossroads Medical Center Pharmacy
All other pharmacies in Northern Virginia will remain open on October 4.
Optometry
The following Optometry locations in Northern Virginia will be temporarily closed on October 4:
- Ashburn Medical Center Optometry department
- Burke Medical Center Optometry department
- Colonial Forge Medical Center Optometry department
- Fair Oaks Medical Center Optometry department
- Falls Church Medical Center Optometry department
- Reston Medical Center Optometry department
- Springfield Medical Center Optometry department
Members with appointments at our affected Optometry department locations have been contacted directly to reschedule their appointment at a date and time that is convenient.
All other Optometry departments in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia remain open on October 4.
Routine care
If you have a routine, non-emergency care issue, we are happy to help you find a convenient care option through kp.org/getcare or by phone at 1-800-877-7904 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact Member Services
If you have questions about the information provided here, please call Member Services, open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed holidays). Note: Hold times could be longer than usual during a strike. We apologize for any inconvenience.
English: 1-800-777-7902
TTY: 711
If you would like medical advice, you may reach our Appointment and Advice Call Center at 1-800-877-7904 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We’re committed to bargaining in good faith with our unions until we reach a fair and equitable agreement to ensure Kaiser Permanente continues to attract and retain the best people in health care — and remains a best place to work and get care. It’s our responsibility to continue to balance taking care of our employees and being more affordable to our members.
For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s labor relations, please visit: kp.org/labor.
