Georgia Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Georgia?

Georgia fell one spot – from 40th to 41st – in the ranking of the healthiest states, according to a 2008 study by the United Health Foundation.

The good news:

• The state's best rankings were for a low prevalence of binge drinking and for immunization coverage of children ages 19 to 35 months.
• Since 1990, the prevalence of smoking decreased markedly – from 31.8 percent to 19.4 percent of the population.

The bad news:

• Georgia was ranked among the worst 10 states in eight measured categories.
• Just two states have a lower high school graduation rating than Georgia (with just 61.7% of incoming ninth graders graduating within four years).
• Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity has risen by 166 percent in the state.
• The state ranked dead last in the category of "air pollution."

The state's best and worst category rankings:

• Prevalence of binge drinking – 9th
• Prevalence of obesity – 40th
• Infant mortality – 40th
• Cardiovascular deaths – 40th
• Lack of health insurance – 41st
• Children (under 18) in poverty – 41st
• Infectious disease – 47th
• High school graduation – 48th (61.7 percent of ninth graders eventually graduate)
• Air pollution – 50th

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Georgia.

Does Georgia have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.

Mini-meds a guaranteed-issue option for those who are medically uninsurable

An option for the medically uninsurable is a guaranteed-issue mini-med health insurance plan. There is no underwriting and no health questions are asked.

These plans provide basic coverage but are not designed to help with catastrophic expenses. They can often count as creditable coverage, eliminating the waiting period for pre-existing conditions if you later move to an employer-based plan. Read more here.

Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Georgia

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Georgia and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Georgia.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

USNews health insurance rankings for Georgia

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Georgia.

Official State Goverment Sites with Georgia Health Insurance Information

PeachCare for Kids is a Children's Health Insurance Program to expand coverage to children in low income families. It is not a Medicaid plan. The plan will pay for preventive services and acute medical care, as well as vision and dental care.

Georgia State Insurance Commission -- provides oversight of regulated industries, consumer protection, and broad-based educational activities.