PeachCare for Kids provides health insurance for Georgia children.
Residents of Georgia can obtain health insurance through private companies and government-sponsored programs. Government programs provide coverage for low-income adults and children to pay for doctors' fees, hospital expenses and prescription drugs. Private insurance companies offer plans that residents can purchase individually or through employer-sponsored programs. Each health insurance program has its own guidelines and eligibility; services and premium prices vary.
Medicaid
The Department of Community Health administers the federal- and state-funded Medicaid program in Georgia. Medicaid provides health care coverage for low-income residents, including pregnant women, children, blind and disabled individuals, and senior citizens. Covered services can include clinic visits, mental health services, prescription drugs, dental services, and inpatient and outpatient care. Medicaid has different categories of coverage, and each category requires applicants to meet resource and income limits. U.S. citizens and qualified noncitizens can receive Medicaid coverage, and Georgia residents can apply at their local Division of Family and Children Services office.
PeachCare for Kids
Uninsured children 18 years of age and under who do not meet Medicaid requirements may qualify for the PeachCare for Kids program. Guidelines require children to hold U.S. citizenship or legal residency or qualify as legal refugees. PeachCare benefits include doctor visits, immunizations, specialist services, prescription drugs, mental health services, hospital care, dental services and vision care. As of February 2011, monthly premiums typically cost between $10 and $35 per child, up to a $70 maximum for all children in a family. Residents can apply for PeachCare online at the PeachCare for Kids website, download an application at the website for submission by mail, or call 877-427-3224 for assistance.
State Health Benefit Plan
Public school employees, state workers, state retirees and their family members can receive health care coverage through the State Health Benefit Plan. Administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health's Public Employee Health Benefits Division, the program offers three types of plans, as of February 2011. The health reimbursement arrangement plan provides a network of health care providers and pays 85 percent of costs for in-network services. The high-deductible health plan pays up to 90 percent of in-network health services after members meet their deductibles. The health maintenance organization plan features a national network of health care providers, does not require participants to choose a primary doctor and pays up to 100 percent of costs for in-network services, after members make a copayment.
Private Health Insurance
Georgia residents can obtain private health insurance through their employers or by purchasing individual policies from companies such as Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and HumanaOne. Coventry Health offers multiple plans, including health maintenance organization, point-of-service and preferred provider organization programs. Blue Cross Blue Shield has health, dental and vision care plans, along with health savings accounts that enable participants to make tax-free investments to pay for their health care needs. As of February 2011, HumanaOne offers copayment plans that pay from 80 percent to 100 percent after participants meet deductibles.
Tags: PeachCare Kids, February 2011, health care, health services, pays percent, prescription drugs
