Being without affordable health insurance in Georgia is a scary proposition. When you become an adult, you are responsible for the entire cost of your medical care, and you also have to worry about unexpected accidents or illnesses. This can be especially difficult if you have a family.
As residents of the state, we understand the importance of having quality and affordable health insurance Georgia has to offer. That’s why Hargulf Insurance offers a variety of options of health insurance in Georgia for individuals and families. Our plans are designed to cover essential health care needs while being affordable. And because we are a local company, we are familiar with the health care needs of Georgians.
Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” is a U.S. federal law that requires all Americans to have health insurance. The law was passed in 2010 and went into effect in 2014. The law has two main goals: to make healthcare more affordable and ensure everyone has access to quality health care. The law does this by requiring insurers to provide certain benefits and subsidies and expanding Medicaid coverage.
The exchanges offer a variety of plans, and enrollees can receive subsidies based on their income. There are two types of subsidies offered to marketplace enrollees. The first type is the premium tax credit, which reduces enrollees’ monthly insurance coverage payments. The second type of financial assistance is the cost-sharing subsidy and is created to minimize enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs for fees on doctor visits or hospital stays. To receive either type of financial assistance, enrollees must meet certain income requirements and enroll in a qualified health plan through the marketplace. Both subsidies are available to enrollees on a sliding scale basis, with those who have lower incomes receiving greater assistance.
Enrollees who do not qualify for subsidies can still find affordable coverage through the marketplace, but they may have to pay full price for their premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
The Obamacare exchanges are open to all Americans, regardless of their employment status. However, people with access to employer-sponsored health insurance are not eligible for subsidies. Obamacare has helped millions of Americans obtain health insurance and increased access to quality care.
In Georgia, the ACA has helped to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income adults and provided subsidies to help middle-class Georgians afford private plans for health insurance in Georgia. The ACA has also created new consumer protections, such as banning insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Thanks to the ACA, millions of Georgians now have access to affordable health insurance in Georgia.
Georgia Medical Insurance Statistics
According to a recent report, nearly 1.4 million Georgians do not have health insurance, and the state’s uninsured rate of 13.7 percent is the third highest in the country. The report projects that rural Georgia’s uninsured rate could climb to more than 25 percent by 2026. The report’s findings are stark, but they are not surprising.
For years, Georgia has been one of the worst states in the country for access to affordable health care. More than half of Georgians with health insurance are enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare, and the state has one of the highest rates of residents who are ineligible for those programs. However, the Affordable Care Act helped to close the coverage gap somewhat.
Medicaid and CHIP are vital to ensuring that low-income Americans access quality healthcare. According to KFF, in Georgia, Medicaid and CHIP provide coverage for 1,928,703 people as of June 2020. This number includes children, pregnant women, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Medicaid and CHIP help to cover the costs of doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, hospital stays, and other necessary medical services. Without these programs, many low-income Americans could not afford the care they need. As a result, Medicaid and CHIP play a vital role in keeping Georgians healthy and ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare and affordable health insurance in Georgia.
The federal government pays a portion of the costs of each state’s Medicaid program; in Georgia, the federal government paid $7.3 billion, or 67.8%, of total Medicaid spending in fiscal year 2019. Medicaid spending in Georgia totaled $10.9 billion in fiscal year 2019; this includes both federal and state spending.
Of this total, $3.6 billion was spent on long-term care services and supports (LTSS). LTSS includes services such as nursing home care, home health care, and personal care services. Other major categories of Medicaid spending in Georgia include hospital care ($1.9 billion), physician and other professional services ($1.4 billion), and prescription drugs ($683 million).
Health Resources
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) provides numerous health care programs and services that benefit the citizens of Georgia. DCH is committed to working with our partners in the public and private sector to ensure that all Georgians have access to the health care and health insurance in Georgia they need.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies. DPH mission is to protect and improve the health of all Georgians by encouraging healthy behaviors, providing quality health care and promoting safe and healthy communities.
Georgia Health Services is a licensed Medicaid provider for the state of Georgia, and we implement Georgia Medicaid’s ICWP (Independent Care Waiver Program), SOURCE and CCSP Programs in licensed personal care homes throughout Georgia.
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), a not-for-profit community health system, is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of the people living in Northeast Georgia. NGHS provides a full range of medical services, including primary care, cardiovascular care, oncology, and women’s health.
Check out these programs if you’re having trouble getting health insurance in Georgia. With a little help, you and your family can get your needed coverage. No one should have to live in fear of being sick or hurt but unable to afford medical care. We all deserve the peace of mind knowing we can get the care we need without breaking. Our mission is to provide access to quality health care services and affordable health insurance Georgia has available.