Electronic Commerce

INTRODUCTION



Kaiser Permanente began humbly with a single good intentioned surgeon who aspired to provide medical care for a population of the working class. The reality of economics quickly augmented the plan of practicing medicine when debts were not covered by the doctor due to lack of insurance by his patients. The creativity of developing a prepaid healthcare plan foreshadowed the future of today’s HMO’s. Kaiser is the leading service provider in the country for healthcare coverage with nearly nine million subscribers. Political reform and patient outcry of unfair coverage practices have transforming the operations of HMO’s today from their origins. Electronic commerce has integrated into the business world and must be embraced to survive competitive external forces. Kaiser was successful in their EC implementation through interfacing with their consumers regarding healthcare coverage information. Technological advances were embraced through strategic planning ...