Kaiser Permanente has made some recent changes to their Underwriting Guidelines. These changes affect newborn coverage and applicants who have used tobacco in the last twelve months. Tobacco users can expect a 20% increase in their premiums. Those applying for Georgia Individual Health Insurance Newborn Baby Coverage (who are not currently Kaiser members) will have to wait until the first of the month after their child has reached 60 days old to get coverage. See below for more details.

Tobacco Surcharge

Will a 20% surcharge automatically be added to the premium for anyone who has used tobacco at anytime in the last 12 months?
A surcharge will be given, but the application will not go through without the member accepting the policy at the new rate. On all surcharge applications, a letter is sent informing the applicant whether they want to move forward with coverage at the new rate.

Newborn Coverage

When applying for a newborn, do parents have to wait 60 days before applying? Do they have to provide the proof of release before being approved?
Parents applying for newborns do not need to wait 60 days to apply as long as they have the proof of release. Once the applicant receives the proof of release, they can apply for coverage. The coverage will not be able to go into effect until the first of the month after the child has turned 60 days old.

Are the newborns of current Kaiser members covered under the mothers plan for the first 31 days?
Yes, if the parents are members their newborn children will be covered for the first 31 days after they are born.

How long do current Kaiser members need to wait before getting coverage for their newborn babies? Will current Kaiser members’ newborn babies be forced to have a break in coverage?
Current Kaiser members do not need to wait until the child has turned 60 days old in order to get coverage. This wait time is only for new applicants, the newborn children of non-Kaiser members. If the parents are current members, the baby will be automatically covered for the first 31 days and can be covered with no break in coverage with a written statement from the parents.