Georgia Healthcare

Georgia has many health care options for its residents. The Government offers health care plans, long-term health care, nursing home care and several tools for health and wellness.

Georgia is the ninth largest populated State in the United States, comprising a mix of rural areas, minor industrial cities and the large metropolis in and around Atlanta. Georgia's healthcare needs are varied, and out of the 9 million residents, nearly 18 percent (1.6 million) people are yet to be insured. Some of these uninsured are city dwellers, some are from the rural areas that don't live close enough to access health services. Georgia also suffers occasional hurricanes, and this factor adds to people's health care concerns.

Georgia has a strong, growing economy. In recent times, several outsiders have moved to this State for jobs. The number of employees who require medical benefits has therefore increased, making Georgia a viable place for insurance companies to sell their products. Young people come to Georgia to attend colleges, owing to many fine higher education systems here. These young people have their own healthcare needs and need to be serviced as well.

The state is doing its best to ensure that Georgians have access to quality healthcare. Providing adequate insurance to a large population is a definite challenge. The Government has put in many recent state initiatives to ensure that the more vulnerable portions of the state's population have access to adequate insurance. The Georgia Family Care or Medicare cares for children, pregnant women, and people who need tests and treatment for cancer, or people who cannot be insured under private plans due to chronic illnesses. The government's step to take care of these people has made health insurance a reality for them, thus boosting awareness for health insurance throughout the State.

Georgia has several fine medical facilities and some good teaching hospitals in the Atlanta area, which has over half of Georgia's population. The rest of the State has excellent resources as well. The Government's encouragement has allowed several health insurance companies to offer plans in all counties. With employers taking up health insurance in a big way, Georgia is on its way to being a health care positive state.

The State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) provides health insurance coverage to school system employees, state employees, retired people and their dependents. This plan is a division of the Georgia Department of Community Health.

Selecting the right health plan is very important, as you have to weigh the costs against the care and the range of care you receive. Select a health plan based on its reach, coverage, costs and reliability.