Health Insurance Coverage
Health insurance coverage plays an important role in the overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Research shows that those without health insurance coverage are less likely to seek routine preventative care, less likely to take their medications as prescribed, more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, and have shorter life expectancies than those who are insured. Communities with higher rates of uninsured citizens face greater public health challenges that may stress the capacity of existing medical services.
Currently, the rate of uninsured under age 65 is about 18%. This is higher than average for the State of Georgia at 15.3%
The break down among those in Bulloch County with some form of health care insurance by insurance type is shown below. In Bulloch County, 48% of people are covered by an employer provided insurance plan.
Due to the nature of healthcare markets, insurance coverage is usually easier to come by and often cheaper when coverage can be purchased by groups instead of individuals. In Bulloch County, 13% of individuals are covered by non-group policies. This could include plans purchased through the ACA Healthcare exchanges or through individual insurance brokers. The availability of affordable individual insurance plans is very important for small businesses or self-employed individuals who wish to maintain health insurance coverage.
Health Insurance Resources
Georgia Access
If you are not eligible for coverage through your employer or lose healthcare coverage, you can get help finding coverage through Georgia Access. Georgia Access will help you shop for and compare insurance providers and available plans to find the high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable coverage you and your family need. You can enroll completely online or work with an agent to find the best option. Georgia Access will also help you determine if you qualify for financial assistance, including tax credits or cost-sharing premium reductions.
Georgia PeachCare for Kids
The State of Georgia offers comprehensive coverage to uninsured children. This program covers primary, preventative, specialist, vision, and dental care and coverage for hospitalizations, emergency room visits, prescription medication, and mental health services. Total premiums and out-of-pocket costs are capped at 5% of total income. Program eligibility is determined by family size and income and requires income verification. $77,064 is currently the maximum annual income for a family of 4. Go to the website to see the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Georgia Pathways to Care
Suppose you do not meet all the eligibility criteria for Medicaid. In that case, you may be eligible for the pathways program if you show you are engaged in at least 80 hours of approved activities a month. This includes full or part-time employment, on-the-job training, vocational training, community service, or enrollment in higher education. Eligibility is capped at 100% of the federal poverty level. You can check your eligibility and find out how to apply here.
Medicaid Georgia
You may be eligible for Medicaid if your income is low and you meet one of the following criteria: you are pregnant, you are under 18, you are 65 years old or older, you are legally blind, you have a disability, or you need nursing home care.