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What is Georgia Access?
If you currently have or ever had a Marketplace plan at any point, you’re probably familiar with accessing these plans from none other than the federal Marketplace via HealthCare.gov. However, no longer are the days of Georgians using this federal platform to shop for or service Marketplace coverage, as the new “hub” for Georgia health insurance plans and service will be “Georgia Access”.
Georgia Access is the first state-run Marketplace program in the country that allows EDE connections and this is designed to help Georgia residents exclusively find, compare, and enroll in affordable health insurance in our state safely and efficiently. This means that for our clients, we will continue to use Health Sherpa as the platform with which we shop and enroll clients on! This will allow us to help you make the transition smooth and easy! And if you want to keep your plan for 2025 no action is required, it will roll over automatically!
Why Georgia Access Was Born
The idea for Georgia’s state-based exchange emerged from a need to address significant healthcare challenges in the state. Here are the key factors that led to its creation:
- High Uninsured Rates: In 2019, over 1.3 million Georgians were uninsured, highlighting a critical need for better access to health insurance.
- Limited Coverage Options: Many counties in Georgia had only one insurance carrier, limiting choices for residents and contributing to higher costs.
- Legislative Action: Recognizing these issues, Governor Brian Kemp signed the “Patients First Act” in March 2019, authorizing Georgia to submit a Section 1332 waiver to pursue innovative solutions for the state’s healthcare system.
- Federal Approval: In November 2020, Georgia received approval for its Section 1332 Waiver, which included a two-part approach: a reinsurance program to lower premiums and the transition from the federal exchange to a state-based exchange.
By creating Georgia Access, the state aims to make health insurance more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly specifically for its residents.
What the Creation of Georgia Access Aims to Accomplish
The main reasons behind this initiative include:
- Increasing Access to Health Insurance: Georgia Access aims to reduce the number of uninsured individuals by providing a state-specific platform that makes it easier for Georgians to find and enroll in health coverage.
- Lowering Costs: The program includes measures like a reinsurance program to help lower insurance premiums, making health insurance more affordable for residents.
- Enhancing the Enrollment Experience: By offering a more localized and user-friendly approach, Georgia Access is designed to provide better customer service and support, ensuring that Georgians can easily navigate the process of obtaining health coverage.
In essence, the goal of Georgia Access is to provide a more tailored and supportive experience for Georgians, improving the shopping and enrollment process, increasing competition among insurers, and promoting innovation in the healthcare market. This will also allow your agent (US!) to handle more issues for you and make your life easier!
What You Should Know About the Transition?
For either those who are new to or have been using the federal exchange, here are some key points to know about transitioning to Georgia Access:
- Enrollment Period: Open Enrollment for 2025 will begin on November 1, 2024 and runs through December 15, as it always has. Make sure to mark your calendar!
- How to Enroll: You can now shop for, compare, and enroll in health insurance directly through the Georgia Access Consumer Portal found at gov.
- Support and Resources: Georgia Access provides local support to help you understand your options or help you address any questions or concerns with your plans via the Georgia Access Contact Center at 888-687-1503.
- If you already have a plan: It will roll over automatically!
By transitioning to Georgia Access, you can expect a smoother, more personalized experience in securing your health coverage. And as always, us agents here at Georgia Health Insurance Inc. will still be able to help guide you through the process of maneuvering this new platform and simplifying the process of finding the plans that best fit your needs!
