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Georgia State Health Insurance Benefit Plan

You can deduce much about a state's character from its health care policies. As of Aug. 1, 2010, Georgia's State Health Benefit Plan gives nearly 685,000 residents health insurance coverage.

  1. Qualifying

    • Those eligible for coverage under the SHBP include state employees, public school system employees, as well as retirees and their dependents, according to Georgia's Department of Community Health. Retirees not eligible for medicare will have the same insurance options as active employees under the SHBP.

    Options

    • As of Sept. 1, 2009, the SHBP offered four health plan options, including a Health Reimbursement Account, a High Deductible Health Plan and a Health Maintenance Organization or Preferred Provider Organization option. For retirees enrolled in Medicare, a Medicare Advantage option provides prescription drug coverage.

    Reform

    • The passing of the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act inspired concerns among many Georgians about how these reforms would affect the SHBP. The Georgia Department of Health asserts that no health plan or eligibility changes will be made as a result of these acts.

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