Kaiser relocates some Novato medical services

Kaiser Permanente Novato patients who receive certain services are being redirected to San Rafael and Petaluma.

The moves affect allergy, pharmacy and adult and family medicine. Other services in Novato will remain, the Oakland-based health care provider said.

“We believe this move will enable our patients and members to receive the care they need in locations that provide them with convenient access to other specialty care services in larger, more modern facilities,” said Armika Berkley, chief administrative officer for Kaiser Permanente San Rafael.

One example was a new ambulatory treatment center that opened at Kaiser San Rafael last year, Berkley said.

“We also remain committed to providing high-quality care and services at our Novato medical offices with a number of specialties located there,” she said.

Other motivations for the moves are to “optimize access to other services like our interventional psychiatry services and health education classes,” Berkley said.

Covered parking and food services are also offered in San Rafael, Kaiser spokesperson Elissa Harrington said.

The allergy department in Novato reopened at the San Rafael Medical Center on Jan. 27, Harrington said. Adult and family medicine reopened at San Rafael Park on Los Gamos Drive on Feb. 5.

Affected members and patients who use the pharmacy may continue to see their same providers. All patient information will be transferred, Harrington said.

Patients may also use free mail-order service for most pharmacy prescriptions, she said.

Pharmacy services are now located at Petaluma, San Rafael Medical Office Building One near the hospital on Montecillo Road, and the provider’s newest location, San Rafael Park.

The new center at 1650 Los Gamos Drive debuted in 2021. Located in a 145,000-square-foot remodeled office building, it houses 72 provider offices, 120 exam rooms and specialty services. Kaiser spent $123 million on the project.

Departments that remain at the Novato campus are infectious disease, laboratory, nephrology, palliative care, pulmonary rehabilitation, radiology, sleep lab and administration.

Kaiser employees affected by the moves have transferred to other locations, Harrington said. No workers were let go.

Kaiser has 92,000 members in Marin and another 58,000 members in southern Sonoma County. It has offices at its main campus at 99 Montecillo Road in Terra Linda; at 1033 Third St. in downtown San Rafael; and at the Novato location at 97 San Marin Drive.

The Novato medical office campus had its grand opening in October 1990.