Updated: September 5, 2024
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Best Health InsuranceGeorgiaBest Health Insurance in Georgia
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Georgia directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.
Ambetter earned a MoneyGeek score of 77, making it the best health insurance provider in Georgia. This provider offers plans with more affordable rates, lower out-of-pocket costs and a better-than-average rate of denying claims.
For our analysis, we looked at 80 plans in Georgia, including 74 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and six Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.
Affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Fewer claims denied
Limited variety of plan types available
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Georgia is Ambetter. This provider offers ten Silver HMO plans at an average rate of $447 per month. The average out-of-pocket maximum cost for these plans is $5,400. Ambetter boasts a claims denial rate of 15%, lower than much of its competition.
Ambetter provides only Silver HMO plans, which aim to encourage the use of in-network providers for all health care services. HMO plans usually require selecting a primary care physician and referrals for specialist care.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans from Ambetter:
Alliant has the best health insurance in Georgia for low out-of-pocket costs, with a MoneyGeek score of 83. This provider has plans with low out-of-pocket expenses and excels with its claims management record. However, its monthly premiums are not the cheapest.
In Georgia, we looked at 62 Gold HMO plans, four Platinum HMO plans, six Gold PPO plans and four Platinum PPO plans for this analysis.
Low out-of-pocket costs
Few claims denied
Diverse plan options
More expensive premiums
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Georgia for low out-of-pocket costs is Alliant. Alliant offers six Gold PPO plans and four Platinum PPO plans, which are known for lower maximum out-of-pocket expenses. PPO plans also tend to have more out-of-network coverage, giving you more options for doctors and hospitals.
This provider offers an average monthly rate of $601, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $5,990. Alliant has a claims denial rate of 8%, lower than most of its competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:
Ambetter offers the best cheap health insurance in Georgia, with a MoneyGeek score of 83. The provider features more affordable plan options, has lower average out-of-pocket costs and denies fewer claims than other providers.
In Georgia, for this analysis, we looked at 74 Silver HMO plans and six Silver PPO plans, making 80 plans in total. MoneyGeek placed more weight on plans with lower monthly premiums, but remember that plans with lower monthly payments may lead to higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care.
Few claims denied
Low out-of-pocket maximum costs
Affordable premium rates
Limited plan types available
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Georgia is Ambetter. It has 11 Silver plans available, providing several affordable health care choices. It offers an average monthly rate of $460, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,781.
Ambetter has a 15% denial rate, lower than most of its competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:
Ambetter offers the best health insurance in Georgia for those with low income, scoring 83 out of 100. Ambetter has a low monthly rate for plans, has the lowest out-of-pocket costs and denies fewer claims than many other providers.
We looked at 66 Silver HMO plans in Georgia and six Silver PPO plans.
We picked the best low-income plan by looking at which ones had low monthly costs and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). CSRs make it so you don't have to choose between paying less each month or more when you go to the doctor. Regular Silver plans pay for about 70% of what your health might cost, but Silver plans with CSRs can pay for more. Here's how it works for people with different incomes relative to the Federal Poverty Limit (FPL):
These amounts may change depending on your household size.
Low premium rates
Minimal out-of-pocket costs
Fewer claims denials
Limited variety of plan types
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Georgia for those with low income is Ambetter. The provider offers affordable plans for people earning below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Ambetter has eleven Silver CSR plans at an average cost of $460 per month. The average out-of-pocket maximum cost for these plans is $6,528.
The company's denial rate is 15%, which means Ambetter approves claims more frequently than competitors.
Plan Recommendations
Ambetter's top-rated plan offers lower out-of-pocket expenses for the same premium for people in different income brackets. Here are some of the lower overall out-of-pocket costs based on income levels:
Alliant offers the best health insurance in Georgia for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100. This insurer provides more affordable insurance with lower chances of denying claims and moderate out-of-pocket costs.
For Georgia young adults, we evaluated six Bronze HMO plans, 55 Expanded Bronze plans including HMO and PPO types, and nine Catastrophic plans across both HMO and PPO. Only individuals under 30 can purchase Catastrophic coverage unless they qualify for a hardship exemption.
Offers affordable premium rates
Very few claims denied
Diverse plan types available
Higher out-of-pocket maximums
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Georgia for young adults is Alliant. Young adults often choose less coverage because they typically need fewer medical services. Alliant offers two Catastrophic plans and six Expanded Bronze plans. On average, these plans cost about $295 a month, with a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,838 per year.
Alliant provides PPO plans, which include more options for out-of-network care. The company has a lower denial rate than most of the competition, at about 8%.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:
Health insurance companies often offer different plan types. Georgia has six Silver PPO plans and 74 Silver HMO plans. The best providers for all plan categories are:
We only considered Silver plans in these recommendations. Silver plans are a good fit for people who want to balance premium costs and coverage.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Georgia for Silver PPO plans is Alliant. It offers six Silver PPO plans. This insurer has an average monthly rate of $511, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for its Silver PPO plans is $9,200. Alliant has an 8% claims denial rate, which means it denies fewer claims than average.
Silver PPO plans let you choose your own doctors, and you don't need a doctor's referral to see a specialist. They are popular among health care consumers but usually cost more than other plans. They're good if you want your pick of physicians and are okay with paying extra.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from Alliant:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Georgia for Silver HMO plans is Ambetter. It offers an average plan rate of $460, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,781. The provider has a denial rate of 15%, which means it denies fewer claims than average.
Silver HMO plans generally have affordable premiums. However, HMOs make you choose doctors from within their network. Unless it's an emergency, you need to see in-network doctors to have your services covered. You also need a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist. HMO plans are a good fit if you are okay with the restrictions and want to pay less each month.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Ambetter:
National General Accident & Health received a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100, providing the best short-term health insurance in Georgia. Since short-term health insurance does not provide all the necessary health benefits that Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plans do, we only recommend it for people wishing to address temporary coverage gaps.
National General Accident & Health stands out because it offers a wide range of plan options to accommodate various health care demands. The company offers plans for high-risk patients with modest co-insurance and out-of-pocket expenses. Plans can have durations of three months to three years and offer several options for cost-sharing and prescription drug coverage.
Your budget and medical needs — including how much you're willing to spend each month versus when you receive care — will determine which health insurance provider in Georgia is right for you. The following pointers can be helpful when planning to get health insurance.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
You receive in-network services if you go to doctors inside your health plan's network. If you go to doctors outside the network, it's called out-of-network care. Plans can differ on where they stand on paying for out-of-network services.
In Georgia, there are six PPO plans and 74 HMO plans. PPO plans offer more freedom — as they cover some costs of out-of-network care — but they can be more expensive. HMO plans are cheaper but generally offer less flexibility.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When looking for health insurance, you need to consider two main costs. One cost is what you pay each month, called a premium. The other cost is the most you can pay in one year for medical services, which is your maximum out-of-pocket limit.
For example, Ambetter has several Silver plans. The Clear Silver plan has the lowest out-of-pocket limit at $5,400 and costs about $456 monthly. If you need to see the doctor often and want to keep costs down, a plan like Clear Silver, with a low out-of-pocket limit and a lower-than-average monthly premium, might be a good choice.
Adults 65 and older or with a qualifying illness or disability may be eligible for Medicare. This federal health insurance program subsidizes qualified individuals' health care services. Medicare has three parts:
We also have resources on finding the best Medicare Advantage and best Medicare Supplement plans in Georgia.
Another federal program, Medicaid, provides health coverage for people with income below a state-specified threshold. In Georgia, you may qualify for Medicaid if your household income is at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size. You may also get Georgia Medicaid if you are pregnant or have a disability.
Finding an ideal health insurance plan can be complicated due to concerns about price and availability. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions to help you research options.
Ambetter provides the best health insurance in Georgia for 2024. However, your best choice will depend on your unique circumstances and needs.
We recommend looking for a plan with reasonable prices and sufficient coverage. Despite offering reduced prices, some plans and companies might only provide a few services that may not suit all your medical needs. Your unique needs will determine what the best health insurance plan for you is.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
