Located in scenic Buford,
Georgia ... GeorgiaHealth.net
is a Georgia health insurance quoting service of Genesis Group, Inc.,
a Georgia health insurance agency:
Genesis Group, Inc.
2214 Oak Falls Lane
Suite 101
Buford, GA 30519
Toll Free:
877-214-2894
Atlanta Area:
770-932-9913
-
Are you currently insured? Yes
No
If "Yes," which Georgia health insurance carrier?
Health Conditions:
Do you, or other applicants have any "major medical
conditions" currently or within
the last 5 years? Please
explain below (Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure
or
cholesterol, asthma, cancer, etc)
ALSO... if
currently insured, briefly comment on
reason for changing your
Georgia health insurance coverage:
Desire Life Insurance info?
Amount of coverage desired?
Desire the FREE Georgia health insurance Buyer's Guide?
If there are no additional
family members,
YOU'RE DONE! Scroll down & SUBMIT!
Spouse & other family members Georgia health insurance info:
Spouse name
(if to be included on policy):
Do you need individual medical Georgia health insurance? Knowing Where to Begin: If you’re new at purchasing individual
medical Georgia health insurance, it could be
because you've always been covered through someone else – your employer or
maybe your parents. Have You Always Had GROUP Georgia health insurance?
You may not know the true or total cost of your premium. You may have only
known your required contribution in the form of payroll deduction or a
co-pay at a doctor. With individual medical, you see the total cost of your
insurance. The Facts Speak for
Themselves:
Half a million
Americans who file for bankruptcy each year do so because of medical
bills and other problems arising from serious illness or injury. --
Harvard School of Law Study
The uninsured are up to 70% more likely to be hospitalized than people with insurance for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, pneumonia, and bleeding ulcers.
-- American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal
Medicine Study
Many Americans without Georgia health insurance have no other option than to use emergency rooms, often when
they are sicker and treatment is more expensive. -- Seattle Post
Intelligencer If you're
interested more in routine needs: Some people have
mainly routine needs — doctor visits for minor illness and injury — and
use low deductible co-pay plans to pay for them, which makes visits to the
doctor's office feel affordable. You’ll pay more for the convenience of
knowing what you’ll spend every time you visit the doctor or need a
prescription.
If you're
interested more in catastrophic needs:
Some people use Georgia health insurance to pay only for catastrophic events. They
pay out of their pocket for the costs associated with everyday health care
needs in exchange for the lower premium of a high deductible plan. When
you have a significant medical expense, even in the worst case, you’re
still likely to save money with a high deductible plan. Understanding the Terms and Their Impact:
There are a lot of terms associated with Georgia health insurance — and they affect your coverage and what
you pay for that coverage. Learn the basics below, then call us to help
you select the right plan for you. What Are My Georgia health insurance Choices?
Georgia health insurance comes from many sources. Many employers provide
Georgia health insurance to their employees. This insurance is called
"Georgia group Georgia health insurance" because the business obtains
coverage for an entire group of employees. Often the employer will pay all
of the employee's premium, but most often the employee will pay some or
all of the cost. Employers are not required to offer or pay for Georgia
health insurance coverage, but many find that it is a good way to recruit and
retain good workers. Unionized organizations will also get group coverage
for their members who may work for various companies.
Individuals can also purchase individual Georgia health insurance. Buying
individual coverage may be your ONLY choice. If you do have a choice, here
are some of these pros and cons:
Why buy your own Georgia health insurance?: * You can choose the most suitable Georgia health insurance plan that works for your
circumstances.
* You pick the insurance company that is best at paying claims on time or
providing reliable service.
* You can select the plan that your current health providers accept for
payment.
* You can take your coverage with you even if you change jobs.
Are there any problems with purchasing your own plan?: * Individual Georgia health insurance may cost more than you are able
to pay.
* Individual coverage may not protect you for an illness that you already
had before you bought the coverage (this is called a "pre-existing
condition" exclusion)
* The insurance may have a low maximum limit or cap on what it will pay.
With one bad accident, you may use up all of your coverage.
* A plan that is affordable today may not be affordable next year.
Co-payments, Deductibles, & Coinsurance: How you share in your Health
Care Costs
Most Georgia health insurance plans require you to be responsible for a
part of the cost of your health care. This "cost sharing" comes in a
variety of forms. The price of health care coverage rises over time, and
thus you will likely see your share of the costs increase too. When
reviewing different plans for Georgia health insurance in Georgia, be aware of the
cost sharing provisions and compare before making your final decision.
Co-payments. These are the amounts that you will be required to pay
for a particular service. For example, when you see your doctor for an
office visit, you will pay a small co-payment for the visit. The same is
often true for prescriptions -- the plan will require the pharmacy to
charge you a co-payment. Your Georgia health insurance company will pay
some or all of the rest of the doctor or pharmacist's charges, depending
on the details of your plan.
Deductible. This is the amount of your health care expenses that
you need to pay BEFORE your Georgia health insurance starts to pay.
Generally, HMOs (like Kaiser Permanente) have no deductible, but other
health plans can have deductibles ranging from $500 to $5,000 or even
more. Your deductible will usually run concurrent with the calendar year
-- each January 1, you start at zero. As the year progresses and you
submit charges to your insurer, you will pay the charges yourself until
you reach your plan's deductible amount. Higher deductible plans are
usually less expensive than plans with a lower deductible.
Coinsurance. This is the amount that you must pay AFTER your
deductible has been met. The coinsurance amount is usually a percentage of
the charges. For example if your plan has a $500 deductible and it is an
80/20 plan, then you will pay the first $500 of your Georgia health
insurance expenses. After the deductible of $500 has been met, then the
insurance company will pay 80% of the charges, and you will be responsible
for 20%.
Premium. This is the fee that you pay to have your Georgia health
insurance coverage. If you are working, your employer may pay all or most
of the premium. Premiums are usually paid monthly, but they could be
payable quarterly, twice a year, or annually. Premiums are almost always
paid in advance.
Dental Insurance Basics While many medical health plans are designed to cover the costs of
diagnosing and treating serious illnesses, dental coverage is most often
focused on preventive care. Most dental plans will pay a high percentage
of preventive care but, unlike medical insurance plans, they typically
cover only a small percentage of the cost of treatment.
Your dental insurance may come from one of several different kinds of
companies, including: A dental service corporation -- a not-for-profit organization that
administers dental care contracts. Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield
plans come from dental service corporations.
An insurance carrier -- a for-profit company that underwrites the
financial risk of, and processes claims for, dental services. These
companies often underwrite both fee-for-service and managed care plans.
A self-funded insurer -- any employer who budgets and pays
providers directly in order to provide dental care to employees.
About fee structures: Like medical plans, dental plans may be
structured in several different ways. Some plans allow you to choose your
own dentist. Others, in exchange for lower rates, limit your choices. Some
are structured like medical PPOs, in which a particular group of
"preferred provider" dentists provide reduced fees. Outside dentists may
also be used, but at a somewhat higher cost.
Other dental plans work like HMOs, in which only specified dentists may be
used, sometimes with a small co-payment (typically $5 to $15) required
for some or all visits. Still others work like traditional fee-for-service
or indemnity insurance plans in which the patient pays an annual
deductible and co-insurance amount (often 20% to 50%) for each service
received.
Most private dental policies put a maximum amount or "cap" on the amount
of coverage that they will pay annually. Often the "cap" is low enough
that if you need a lot of costly dental work, you may wish to spread out
the work over a year or more in order to maximize your coverage.
Private Insurance
If you don't have access to employer-provided group insurance or public
insurance, or if these plans don't adequately cover your family's needs,
you'll want to explore your options for private insurance (also called
individual insurance).
Private insurance is usually obtained through either an insurance agent
who works for one particular insurance company, or an independent
insurance agent representing a variety of companies.
Here's what you need to know about Georgia health insurance:
First, the bad news: Your individual health risks will be evaluated. Unlike group plans,
private insurance plans could be denied for reasons related to your health
status and risk factors. On rare occasions, you may need a physical
examination before you are offered coverage.
You could be turned down, charged more, or be denied coverage for
pre-existing conditions.
You can expect higher costs. When you're part of a group plan, your
employer may pay part or all of the costs of premiums. With private
insurance, you'll have to pay the full price of the premiums in addition
to any deductibles, co-insurance or co-payments.
Now, for the good news:
Despite the challenges, being insured is worth it! What could be more
valuable than protecting your family's health? Even if you're healthy, one
accident or major illness could result in financial disaster.
Enlist an insurance agent to explain the choices to you. GeorgiaHealth.net
offers individualized service to help you make the best choice for Georgia
health insurance for you and your family.
Arguments for using an agent: * Agents can save you time and frustration since they know the
products, prices and practices of many companies. Agents can find a plan
specific to your needs and do much of the paperwork and the searching for
you.
* Agents are "independent," they are not tied to any one company.
* Agents with ties to a community are more "consumer-friendly," less
likely to take advantage of buyers. Make sure your agent is actually
working "within" the state where you will obtain coverage -- not two
thousand miles away.
ATLANTA – On July 12th, 2007,
at the Georgia Department of
Community Health (DCH) Board meeting, the Board of Community
Health lifted the March 2007 PeachCare for Kids TM enrollment
freeze. Effective immediately, new applications will be processed
and the program can serve up to 295,000 children under a new
enrollment cap.
Pending applications and reinstatements will become active and
added to enrollment as payment is received. Coverage will begin
retroactively to July 1, 2007.
The enrollment limit has been defined by DCH to ensure the
shortfall funding and redistribution of the 2004 - 2005 national
surplus adequately supports the ongoing provision of health care
to current and new members through September 30, 2007.
The PeachCare for Kids TM program is a jointly funded state and
federal insurance program for low-income children. On March 11,
2007, DCH discontinued new enrollment in the program due to lack
of federal funding. In May 2007, President George W. Bush signed a
Fiscal Year 2007 supplemental appropriations bill that included
funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
(S-CHIP). Congress approved the legislation that appropriated $650
million for states with S-CHIP shortfalls. Georgia will receive
approximately $121,304,715.
If Congress does not pass legislation that reauthorizes S-CHIP to
continue after September 30, 2007, S-CHIP programs nationwide,
including Georgia’s PeachCare for Kids TM, will no longer exist.
Reauthorization legislation, correction of the current flawed
federal funding formula, and adequate funding is required to
continue PeachCare for Kids TM beyond October 1, 2007. The
enrollment limit will be reassessed based on availability of
funding once S-CHIP is reauthorized or otherwise extended by
Congress.
To apply for PeachCare for Kids, one can either visit http://www.peachcare.org
or call 1-877-GAPEACH (1-877-427-3224).
What is PeachCare for Kids?
In 1997, Congress created Title XXI of the Social Security Act to
provide health care for the growing number of uninsured children in
the United States. This legislation provided states with the
opportunity to create programs to increase access to affordable
Georgia health insurance. In Georgia, this program is PeachCare for Kids.
PeachCare for Kids began covering children in 1999, providing
comprehensive health care to children through the age of 18 who do
not qualify for Medicaid and live in households with incomes at or
below 235% of the federal poverty level. This means a family of
three can earn over $39,000 a year and a family of four can earn
$47,000 a year.
Who is eligible?
About 190,000 children in Georgia are eligible for PeachCare.
Eligibility requirements:
* U.S. citizens, certain qualified legal residents, refugees or
asylees who reside in Georgia
* Age 18 and under (Eligible until 19th birthday)
* Uninsured
* Family income less than or equal to 235% of the federal poverty
level, $39,000 for a family of 3 and $47,000 for a family of 4.
Your child may be ineligible if:
* Your child is eligible for Medicaid. If your child is eligible for
Medicaid, Peachcare for Kids will forward your application to
Medicaid and your child will be enrolled.
* Your child has access to Georgia health insurance through a parent's
employment with the State of Georgia, even if the parent has not
purchased the State coverage.
What are the benefits?
PeachCare for Kids health benefits include:
* Care from a doctor when your child is sick
* Preventive services such as immunizations and regular check-ups
* Specialist care
* Dental care
* Vision care, including vision screenings and eyeglasses
* Hospitalization
* Emergency room services
* Prescription medications
* Mental health care
Each child in the program has a Georgia Health insurance primary
care provider who coordinates the child’s care.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost for children age 5 and under. Currently, the cost
per month for PeachCare for Kids coverage is $10 to $35 for one
child and a maximum of $70 for two or more children living in the
same household. Once you complete the application, information about
paying your premium and the amount will be displayed. If you have
any questions, please call us toll-free at 1-877-GA-PEACH. There are
no co-payments or deductibles required for benefits covered by
PeachCare for Kids.
If you need additional assistance, please call 1-877-GA-PEACH
(1-877-427-3224)
- Find a salon that caters specifically to children. Some children's
salons come equipped with special seats in the shape of carousel
animals or fire trucks and TVs that play cartoons or a favorite DVD.
Stylists in these salons are more experienced in dealing with young
children and may have extra tricks to put your little one at ease.
- Visit the salon before scheduling the haircut so your child can
see other people relaxed and happy in the stylist's seat.
- Take your child along to your next haircut so she can get used to
the sights, sounds and smells of the salon. Allow her to look
through the books in the salon to pick out a style.
- Take into consideration your child's napping and eating routines
when scheduling his hair appointment. Decide on the time when he is
most happy and relaxed.
- Prepare the hair. If your child's hair is long or particularly
curly, comb and detangle it before heading to the salon.
- Arrive at the appointment a few minutes early to walk around and
get comfortable in the salon.
- Decide on a style before getting to the salon. If your child is
cannot sit still for long, choose a simple style that is quick and
easy to cut.
- Once your child is in the chair, distraction is the key to keeping
him there. Bring a few small toys or a favorite stuffed animal.
- Your child might be more relaxed if she sits on your lap during
the cut.
- Schedule a special treat - such as lunch out or an ice cream - to
celebrate the "new haircut." It will give the child something to
look forward to during the cut.
- Know when to say "when." If your child won't stop squirming or
crying, forgo the haircut and try again some other time.
Health Tip of the Day is NOT Personal Professional Advice These resources are not intended to provide medical advice or serve as
a substitute for professional
medical diagnosis or treatment -- they are
for "general" information purposes only. Users should
always
consult with a medical professional for diagnosis and
treatment of health problems and consult
with a physician
regarding any personal medical condition. ANY life-threatening
emergency should be cared for immediately ... CALL 911.
Today's Medical News and
Georgia health insurance Headlines
Industry news to keep you
informed!
Scientists Debate
On The Efficiency Of "Super X-Rays" To Detect Heart Diseases
Scientists are weighing the benefits
of a new kind of "super X-ray" that is comparatively cheaper, easier and
painless way to find out the history of person with signs of heart disease and
if he actually needs a treatment. The new scans might completely eliminate the
need for cardiac catheterizations done each year in the United States to check
for clogged arteries, said Dr. Julie Miller of Johns Hopkins University.
220,000 Chinese
Infected With HIV Mostly Because Of Unsafe Sex, Same-Sex Couplings
The Deputy Director of the Chinese
Center for Disease and Prevention, Wang Ning, on Tuesday confirmed that at least
220,000 people from 31 provinces mainland China are infected with the deadly
HIV. He stressed that the total number represents most cases are significantly
attributed to sexual transmission between people of the opposite sex at 37.9
pct, and same sex couplings at 3.2 pct."While the numbers of cases among
high-risks groups - drug users and prostitutes - had fallen, the general
population had become increasingly at risk, mostly because of unsafe sex," Wang
said
Flavonoid-Rich Dark
Chocolate Helps Improve Coronary Blood Flow
There is a good news for chocolate
lovers as a Japanese study has found that flavonoid-rich dark chocolate helps
improve coronary blood flow. The researchers used Doppler echocardiography to
assess the coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), an indicator of the ability of
the coronary arteries to dilate and allow more blood flow in response to
medications.
Feds: Mix Leftover
Medicine With Kitty Litter
Federal agents are urging citizens
to dispose of their unused medicine by mixing it with kitty litter. The purpose
of this practice is to control substance abuse by making the medicine
unappealing to those who would usually retrieve them and take them for
non-medical reasons.
Study Finds Gene
Linked To Breast Feeding Can Help Enhance Child's IQ
Breastfeeding can positively enhance
the IQ of children when combined with the right genes, British study has found.
Children with one version of the FADS2 gene scored seven points higher in IQ
tests if they were breastfed as compared to those who did not have that gene.
Scientists Find
Possible Link Between Hypertension Control And Winters
High blood pressure is tougher to
control during winter than it is during summer, researchers at Georgetown
University claim. A five-year study found people treated in the summer were on
average 8 percent more likely to see their blood pressure come down to healthy
levels.
Study Finds Sleep
Deprivation Can Lead To Childhood Obesity
Getting a sound sleep at night
reduces a child's risk of getting obese, a new study has found. A study by an
American university using 785 children from 10 cities found sleep deprivation
caused hunger and those who sleep more were less likely to face childhood
obesity.
Bayer Bows To
International Pressure; Halts Global Sales Of Trasylol
Bayer AG has announced that it will
halt global sales of a blood-clotting drug after intense pressure from
government regulators world-wide; the move comes after the firm decided to stop
U.S. sales of the medication following scrutiny by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). The Leverkusen, Germany-based drug-maker said it decided
to suspend sales of Trasylol after discussions with the FDA, the German Federal
Institute for Drugs and Medicine Products, and the Canadian Health Department.
Report Finds
America's Overall Health Declining, Despite Gains In Several Areas
A new joint report by the United
Health Foundation, American Public Health Association, and Partnership for
Prevention finds that the overall health of the nation has decreased over the
past year, despite some progress being made in several key health areas.
According to the 2007 America's Health Rankings list, Vermont tops the list as
the nation's healthiest state, beating out Minnesota for the first time in four
years. Minnesota dropped to the second spot, followed by Hawaii, New Hampshire
and Connecticut to round out the top five.
Study: Mixing
Alcohol With Energy Drinks Risky Combination
College students who drink a
cocktail of alcohol mixed with energy drinks are more at risk from injury and
other alcohol-induced consequences compared to those who just drink alcohol,
according to study findings announced Sunday. Results from the study showed that
students who drank alcohol mixed with energy drinks had twice the chance of
being hurt or injured, requiring medical attention or riding with an intoxicated
driver compared to those who drank alcohol which was not mixed with any energy
drinks.
New Mom Dies After
Refusing Blood Transfusion Due to Religious Belief
A young mother who had just given
birth to twins has died after she refused blood transfusion as it runs counter
to her faith. Emma Gough, a Jehovah's Witness strong devotee, thus died of
severe blood loss following complications hours after she gave birth at the
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shrewsbury on October 25.
Bayer Halts U.S.
Sale Of Blood-Clotting Drug, Trasylol
Bayer AG will take its
blood-clotting injection Trasylol off the shelves from U.S. stores after the
Food and Drug Administration announced that it will reexamine the drug's side
effects, according to published reports Monday. Trasylol is thought to be linked
to a higher incidence of death than competing drugs.
UCLA Scientist Says
Alzheimer Drug May Help Treat Women With Migraines
A drug used by those with
Alzheimer's to improve memory may soon provide comfort to women who suffer
chronic migraines every month. Dr. Andrew Charles of the UCLA Headache Research
and Treatment Program said five percent of women have a headache more than 15
days per month and suffer from migraines three times more than men.
Londoners' Lower
Tolerance To Aircraft Noise Used To Halt Heathrow Airport Expansion
More Londoners are actually irked by
the aircraft noise from Heathrow airport than the numbers indicated in a
government-commissioned study in 1985. As such, residents near the international
hub said there is basis to stop the expansion of the airport on the basis of the
key environmental issue.
Scientists See
Carbon Nanotubes As New Method To Kill Cancer Cells
In a breakthrough treatment of
cancer, researchers in Houston used Carbon nanotubes heated by radio waves to
kill cancer .
In a
paper posted online by the journal Cancer, a team at the University of Texas
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University reported that the technique
destroyed liver cancer tumors in rabbits and caused no side effects.
Scientists Face New
Setback In Hepatitis C Treatment
The effort to find an effective
treatment for hepatitis C virus has suffered a major setback after British
researchers found that the virus evades the body's natural defenses by slipping
directly from cell to cell. University of Birmingham researchers said viruses
spread by entering cells, then replicating themselves, with large numbers of
copies of the virus bursting out of the cell to start the process again.
Hong Kong's
Polluted Victoria Harbor "Too Dangerous" Even For Batman
Batman, the caped crusader from
Gotham City, could easily beat arch rivals Joker and the Penguin without batting
an eyelash but an encounter with the Hong Kong's famed but polluted harbor is
one he is quick to back out from. The script of the latest movie sequel calls
for dark knight to jump out of a plane into the Victoria Harbor but producers
cut the scene, noting the poor water quality is just too dangerous for the
action hero.
Afghanistan's
Health Care Advances As The Under-5 Child Mortality Rate Drops
Afghanistan is being credited for
providing better and advanced health services as the under-5 child mortality
rate in the nation has declined years after Taliban rule ended. The reports said
that the health ministry of Afghanistan claims that it has successfully saved
thousands of children below 5-years-old who would have died without proper
medical care during the authoritarian rule.
Coffee Condoms
Latest Weapon In War On AIDS In Ethiopia
A U.S.-based charity hopes to fight
the spread of AIDS with a unique product that appeals to coffee mania in the
country: java-scented condoms for Ethiopia. DKT International, a Washington
D.C.-based charity says the novelty product addresses the serious issue of AIDS
in Ethiopia, which has an AIDS rate of 2.1 percent. The capital Addis Ababa
alone has an AIDS infection rate of more than 7 percent.
Safeway Recalls
Ground Beef In Four Eastern States For E.Coli Contamination
Supermarket operator Safeway Inc. is
recalling ground beef sold in stores in four eastern states for fear the
products may be contaminated with E.coli. Safeway said the affected ground beef
products were distributed by Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. and sold in its stores
in Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
Georgia health insurance in Georgia
Peach State Headlines -- updated!
47 million Americans lack health insurance: report
Scientific American - Nov 1,
2007
For Georgia health insurance, Georgia and several other states saw rates
drop by at least 7 percentage points. Meanwhile, in California "nearly all of
the losses in
Ga. Congressman will try to save PeachCare
Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA -
14 hours ago
By BOB KEMPER Washington — With the White House and the
Democratic Congress locked in a showdown over funding for a children's
Georgia health insurance program, ... Notes
from the Georgia State Senate: A Three-pronged Approach to ...
Dawson Times, Ga - Sep 17,
2007
This week, I’d like to discuss some of the alternatives to
employer-provided and/or government-subsidized Georgia health insurance,
which would make healthcare more ... Health
Marketplace is best option for Georgia
Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA -
Sep 9, 2007
Almost one-fifth of our state's population — 1.7 million
Georgians — lives without Georgia health insurance. This number has been
repeated so many times that we are ... Georgia
health commissioner says plans for improving the system ...
Florida Times-Union, FL - Sep
1, 2007
That clearinghouse, in Cagle's concept, would be a Web site
where consumers could shop with side-by-side comparisons for health-insurance
plans. ... Proposals
would help the uninsured
Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA -
Aug 28, 2007
Congress and President Bush are locked in a stalemate over the
future of the Children's Georgia health insurance Program, known as
PeachCare in Georgia. ... Cagle
announces plan to create clinics for poor
Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA -
Aug 24, 2007
... which Cagle labeled the Georgia Health
Marketplace, is meant to make it easier for the uninsured to sift through their
Georgia health insurance options, ... Jones:
Perdue's health-insurance proposal will take some selling
Online Athens (subscription), GA -
Aug 20, 2007
... for Georgia health insurance. He drew
immediate praise from business advocates when he disclosed the outline of his
plan Aug. 7. Representatives of the Georgia ... Another
ignominious ranking for Georgia
Camden County Tribune, GA -
Sep 14, 2007
We have one of the highest incarceration rates and one of the
highest rates of people without Georgia health insurance. And just
Wednesday, The Humane Society of ... Georgia
Child Advocates Urge Congress to Pass Law
WABE, GA - Aug 29, 2007
An estimated 300 thousand children in Georgia lack
Georgia health insurance even though two-thirds of them qualify for either
PeachCare or Medicaid. Elected
office has its benefits
Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA -
Aug 26, 2007
The Georgia Municipal Association doesn't track the
number of cities that offer Georgia health insurance to elected
officials, but it isn'ta widespread practice, ...