As you begin your search for the perfect health insurance plan, consider a few things: How much can you afford to pay per month? Do you or your spouse have a group health benefits package through their group or work? Do you or anyone in your family have a pre-existing condition? These are all questions that will directly effect the decision making process.
Family Health Care Options in Georgia (GA)
When you are looking for health insurance to cover your family, the first thing you should do is find out if your employers offer a group health insurance plan. If they do, that is most likely your best option, as it is the least expensive and most convenient option for families today. These kinds of plans consist of HMOs, PPOs, POSs or HSAs.
If not, then individual health insurance is another option. Individual health insurance is generally more expensive than group, and you need to kind of shop around a bit before you make your final decision. Or is that why you are here? If so, then good thing we have provided a list of health insurance carriers in your area to check out!
Coverage under your group health plan cannot be denied or limited, and they cannot charge you more because of your health status, although individual health coverage is quite different. Individual insurance carriers can deny you and/or charge you a higher rate based on your health status.
Georgia Individual Health Care Plans (GA)
Firstly, if your employer provides health benefits, than generally that is the most convenient and inexpensive option. If not, than you are going to need to look into an individual health care policy. Below is a list of the carriers available to you in Georgia, so you can take a look and see what your options are. Fortunately, if you see something you like we can help to match you up with a quality agent in your area so that you can take of it as quickly as possible.
Health Insurance Providers in Georgia (GA)
- Aetna
- Assurant Health (formerly Fortis)
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
- Celtic
- Golden Rule
- Humana
- VISTA Healthplan
Difficulties in Obtaining Health Insurance
There are several options if you discover that you are having trouble obtaining insurance through a traditional health insurance company’s plan. You may want to research coverage through the federal government’s Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), if you have lost group health insurance because of a job loss or change. However, this coverage is limited in duration and is meant to span the short time it will take you to find other means of insurance. Several private companies, such as AETNA and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia offer high risk insurance policies through a high risk pool. However, you need to be very careful when you look into these policies, because they are often more expensive than traditional policies and may attach pre-existing riders to your policy, which will require that you wait between 12 and 24 months before the policies will cover your pre-existing conditions.
New to Georgia and looking for health insurance? Ask for a quote!
Changing Health Insurance Coverage in Georgia (GA)
If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA continuation coverage or state continuation coverage. If you move away from Georgia, you may not be able to buy individual health insurance in another state unless you are HIPAA eligible.
Georgia (GA) State Health Options
If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The Georgia Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes. Georgia PeachCare for Kids provides health coverage to low-income Georgia children under the age of 19 who are not eligible for Medicaid and who have limited or no health insurance.
If you believe you may be at risk for cancer but are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for screening and treatment. The Georgia Cancer Screening Program provides free cancer screening for qualified residents. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible free cancer screening for qualified residents.