Kaiser Permanente Georgia competes with Coventry and Blue Cross/Blue Shield in the Atlanta, GA area. Often, Kaiser has the lower rates. However, beyond offering more affordable health insurance plans, the Kaiser Georgia medical plans have certain benefit advantages which include maternity coverage with no waiting period, labs and X-rays included with a copayment, mental health included (not as a separate rider) and preventative screenings at no cost.

More Affordable Georgia Health Insurance
Below are some of the Kaiser Permanente plans along with age groups where Kaiser Permanente has the price advantage over comparable Coventry and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plans:

1. HMO Plan 1000
You will find that the Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan 1000 is more affordable than comparable plans from our competitors for the following gender/age bands:
Male 40 – 44                       Female 50-54
Male 45-49                          Female 55-59
Male 50-54                          Female 60-64
Male 55-59
Male 60 -64

2. HMO Plan 2000
The Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan 2000 offers more affordable rates than the competitors on the following gender/age bands:
Male 45-49                        Female 50-54
Male 50-54                        Female 55-59
Male 55-59                        Female 60-64
Male 60-64

3. HMO Plan 5000
The Kaiser HMO Plan 5000 has lower prices for the following gender/age bands:
Male 50-54
Male 55-59
Male 60-64

Posted: July 7th, 2009 under Georgia Individual.
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Below is a comparison between Kaiser and Coventry. I would like to point out a few areas that will show that Kaiser’s benefits are better. We all know that Coventry has the cheapest price in town. However, the cheap price may not be the best selection for you. You’ll need to compare and contrast rates and benefits to find the right Georgia health insurance plan for you.

Notice in the plan above that that out-of-pocket maximum (the worst case scenario in one year) is far lower with the Kaiser Permanente Plan. Also, Kaiser’s lifetime maximum is unlimited while Coventry limits it to $7 million. Specialist visits are always $50 with Kaiser, but with Coventry you only get two $50 specialist visits before the deductible. Preventative screenings are free and labs and x-ray’s are included with your copay with Kaiser, but not with the competitor. Mental health coverage is included with Kaiser, but not with Coventry unless you pay extra for a separate rider. One of the biggest drawbacks to Coventry is that they don’t cover pre-existing conditions until after a 12 month waiting period. Kaiser does not exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Though the monthly premiums for the Coventry plan may be lower, you’re going to get nickled and dimed to death at the doctor’s office with the Coventry plan. The Kaiser Permanente coverage is just better.

The Kaiser facility provides excellent service as well as convenience. Pharmacy, labs, etc. are all provided in the facility. Kaiser also provides the healthy living classes for KP members. These classes offer ways to help members live healthy. This way they will stay out of the doctor’s office.

Posted: June 17th, 2009 under Georgia.
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What is the deadline to apply for a Kaiser Permanente Georgia Individual Health Insurance Plan? In the past, we have told Kaiser Georgia applicants that the deadline to apply for the first of the month is the first of the month, meaning you could apply on the first and get an effective date for that very day. However, the answer to this question is now a bit more complicated. The answer depends on whether you are applying with a paper application or whether you are applying online. 

Online Applicants
If you are applying online for a KP Georgia Personal Advantage Plan, the deadline is the last day of the month at 4:30 PM. Your application must be completed and submitted, and payment must be received. If these requirements are met by 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on the last day of the month, then you are eligible for an effective date of the next day. 

Paper Applications
If you apply using a paper application, the deadline is 4:30 PM on the first of the month in order to qualify for an effective date of that very day. This means the application must be received (by mail or by fax) along with the payment for the first month’s premium by 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on the first. 

Note Regarding Last Minute Applications
If your application/payment is submitted before the deadlines described above, you will qualify for your coverage to start on the first. However, applications usually take one to two weeks to process by underwriters. Applicants who wait until the last minute to apply may not find out whether they are approved until a week or two after their desired effective date.

Posted: May 14th, 2009 under Georgia Individual.
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The deadline is actually the last day of the month to apply online for a Kaiser Permanente Georgia Individual Plan. For this month, you will need to apply by the May 31st deadline in order to get a June 1st effective date. If you apply online after 5/31, your effective date will be 7/1, which means you won’t get in before the rates go up.

If it’s June 1st and you still want to get in for a June 1st effective date, there may be a way. You would have to submit a paper application and fax it in by 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Fax your application to 1-866-439-9993.

Processing applications usually takes a week or two, so I’d recommend not waiting until the deadline. If you apply sometime in mid-May, you will be much more likely to find out if you’ve been approved before your effective date.

Posted: May 7th, 2009 under Georgia Individual.
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Kaiser Georgia introduces the Now Plans! These 11 new plans are available for an April 1, 2009 effective date. With these new plans, there are now more ways than ever to save on Individual Health Insurance in Georgia. View a listing of all the current Personal Advantage Plans along with a brief explanation below.

• 7 Now Plus Plans: These plans include doctor visits, RX and maternity coverage before the deductible.
• 4 Now Plans: Save money on plans without prescription coverage.
• 5 Balance Plans: Save money by cutting maternity coverage. These plans are especially good for females who aren’t interested in maternity (prenatal and delivery services).
• 2 Balance Plans with HSA: Save on HSA plans without maternity.
• 4 Straight HSA Plans: Save on plans with only preventative coverage before the deductible. Also, with these plans you have the option to deduct healthcare expenses from your federal taxes by opening a health savings account. The HSA 100% Plans offer some of the lowest out-of-pocket maximums. The HSA 80% Plans are major medical plans with lower premiums. 

Kaiser Personal Advantage Plans Offer 3 Ways to Save Money
1. Cut maternity by choosing a Balance Plan.
2. Cut prescription drugs by choosing a Now Plan without RX.
3. Choose a plan with a higher deductible.

Maternity Coverage
For those specifically interested in maternity coverage, we recommend the Premier Plan or the $3,500/100% Deductible Plan with HSA. On the Premier Plan, it you’ll pay $3,000 to have a baby ($1,000 for obstetrician/midwife and $2,000 for hospital delivery). On any of the other Now Plans, your cost would be $4,500 ($1,500 for obstetrician/midwife and $3,000 for hospital delivery). The $3,500/100% Deductible Plan offers 100% coverage after the deductible, thus making the cost $3,500 for maternity coverage on this plan.

For more details on these Kaiser Permanente Plans, click Georgia Health Plans.

Posted: March 10th, 2009 under Georgia Individual.
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When you apply with Kaiser Georgia, you are getting high quality care at affordable prices. Kaiser Permanente ranked the highest for health care in the state for three years in a row, according to U.S. News & World Report*. KPGA ranked #1 for its health plan and the #1 for its Medicare plan in the state of Georgia. In regarding to national statistics, the health plan was ranked 53^rd and the Medicare plan was ranked 21^st in the United Sates. 

Though consumers in the state of Georgia have looked less favorable on HMO plans in the past, preferring the greater options provided by a PPO, the tide is beginning to shift. Those looking for health insurance in Georgia are realizing that they get more coverage for their money when they go with a Kaiser Permanente HMO plan. A customer recently complained, “My husband and I are paying $1,000 a month for health insurance and we aren’t getting diddly.” She was pleasantly surprised that she could improve her coverage and lower her monthly premiums at the same time by enrolling with Kaiser Permanente Georgia. 

Kaiser Georgia members are highly satisfied. They find that the options within the Kaiser network are more than sufficient. The service is good and the care is high quality. 

*. As published in the November 5, 2007 issue of U.S. News & World Report.

Posted: January 14th, 2009 under Georgia.
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Often when discussing Kaiser Georgia Personal Advantage Plans, the conversation comes down to talking about the similarities and differences between two of our most popular Individual and Family Plans for Georgia, Plan 2000 and Balance 2000. Though these two plans have a lot of similarities, there are some key differences. The Balance HMO 2000 is a bit more affordable because the coverage is not as rich as Plan 2000.

When comparing the benefits of these plans, you will notice right away that the lifetime maximum for these plans is distinct. Plan 2000 has an unlimited lifetime maximum while Balance 2000 is limited to a lifetime maximum of $3 million. This, along with the fact that Balance 2000 does not cover maternity while Plan 2000 includes pregnancy coverage, are the two biggest differences between these plans.

There are other less dramatic differences related to doctor visits and prescription drug coverage. Plan 2000 covers doctor visits with a $30 copayment while Balance HMO 2000 has a $40 copayment. Copayments for prescription drugs (generic/brand) are a bit more expensive for the Balance 2000 as well, $20/$40 at Kaiser Permanente for the Balance 2000 Plan and $15/$30 for Plan 2000. Similarly, the copayments for prescription drugs outside of Kaiser at places like Walgreens are a little cheaper for those on Plan 2000.

Posted: December 17th, 2008 under Georgia Individual.
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Rates are expected to go up on average around 10% next month. Apply by the end of November to lock in the 2008 rates for one year. Click Kaiser Georgia Individual Health Insurance to get quotes for Kaiser Permanente Georgia Individual and Family Medical Insurance Plans. Call 1-877-752-4737 for live support. To apply, click Kaiser Georgia Application. 

Note: The rates are locked in for one year only if the member keeps the same plan. If members wish to down-grade, the rates will be based on when the down-grade becomes effective. Those who wish to up-grade plans will need to re-apply and rates will be based on the time of the new application.

Posted: November 20th, 2008 under Georgia Individual.
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A customer recently asked about the Kaiser Georgia HSA Plan B. She asked, “Can you give me more information regarding the Kaiser Permanente HSA B Plan for small business? Also, please explain the difference between the HSA and HMO health insurance plans.”

Startup companies may find the HSA Plan B to suite them well. This plan offers affordable monthly premiums and a low out of pocket maximum. The key difference between the HSA and HMO Plans is how the deductible is structured.  Under the HMO Plan, doctor visits and medications are covered at the get-go.  With the HSA Plan, you have to pay full price for all Kaiser health care (services such as physician visits, prescription drugs, etc.) before your coverage kicks in.  For more information and plan benefits, click HSA Plan B.

Posted: September 22nd, 2008 under Georgia Group.
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What if I want to enroll my children, but I am not applying myself? Can I put my children on the same application? Can I enroll the kids on a family plan? Or, do I need to fill out separate applications for each child? 

When applying for Kaiser Georgia Personal Advantage plans for more than one child, each child must be on a separate application. They will each have their own application. Two or more children (when parents are not applying) cannot be on a family plan. When filling out the applications for your children, each child will be listed as the subscriber on the application. The bill for your monthly premium will come in the child’s name. Also, if the subscriber is a minor, only the child’s SSN is needed.

Posted: September 8th, 2008 under Georgia Individual.
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