Cheapest Health Insurance in Georgia (2024 Plans)

Health insurance costs in Georgia differ by tier: Oscar offers affordable Bronze and Gold options, with Alliant leading in Expanded Bronze and Platinum, and Anthem (BCBS) in Silver.

For an optimal blend of price and coverage, explore the best health insurance in Georgia.

The most cost-effective plan in the Silver tier for Georgians is the Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 offered by Anthem (BCBS), proving popular among consumers due to its balanced approach to cost and coverage with a monthly premium of $412. Silver plans are the most common due to their moderate premiums and cost-sharing benefits. For those willing to accept higher out-of-pocket costs for lower monthly rates, Bronze plans are available.

Health insurance costs are contingent upon the metal tier selected, with the principle of balancing premium costs against out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and copays.

Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:

• Catastrophic: Secure (Oscar) - $238 per month (Note: Only individuals under 30 or with a qualifying exemption are eligible for this plan)
• Bronze: Bronze Simple 2 (Oscar) - $326 per month
• Expanded Bronze: SoloCare No Referral HMO Standard Expanded Bronze (Alliant) - $347 per month
• Silver: Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 (Anthem (BCBS)) - $412 per month
• Gold: Gold Classic Standard (Oscar) - $454 per month
• Platinum: SoloCare Platinum No Referral HMO - $0 PCP, $0 Generic Rx (Alliant) - $683 per month

For more details on cheap health insurance options and to find a plan that fits your budget and needs, explore the linked information.

The most affordable Silver tier health plan in Georgia is the Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 offered by Anthem (BCBS), with a monthly cost of $412. The three most affordable Silver health plans in Georgia are:

• Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 from Anthem (BCBS) ($412 per month)
• Anthem Silver Blue Value 5900/40% Standard from Anthem (BCBS) ($414 per month)
• Anthem Silver Blue Value 5500 from Anthem (BCBS) ($418 per month)

Silver plans are an excellent choice for individuals who expect to use a moderate amount of health care services because they balance monthly premiums with out-of-pocket costs. Customers with lower incomes may qualify for cost-sharing reductions, which can significantly lower the amount they pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance. By enrolling in a Silver plan and applying for these subsidies, eligible consumers can reduce their health care expenses to a more manageable level.

The most cost-effective Gold tier plan in Georgia is the Gold Classic Standard from Oscar available at a monthly cost of $454. This stands out as the cheapest option among Gold plans in the region. Here are the three most affordable Gold plans in Georgia:

• Gold Classic Standard from Oscar ($454 per month)
• Clear Gold from Ambetter ($458 per month)
• Standard Gold SELECT St. Joseph's/Candler from Ambetter ($465 per month)

Gold plans are typically suited for customers who anticipate needing a fair amount of medical care. They offer lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health services but come with higher monthly premiums. These plans are a good match for individuals who prioritize broader coverage and are willing to pay more upfront to ensure they have comprehensive health care benefits when needed.

The most affordable option in the Bronze tier for health insurance in Georgia is the Bronze Simple 2 plan offered by Oscar at a monthly cost of $326. The three most affordable Bronze plans in Georgia by monthly cost are:

• Bronze Simple 2 from Oscar ($326 per month)
• Clear Bronze from Ambetter ($388 per month)
• Clear Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental from Ambetter ($402 per month)

Bronze plans are generally suited for individuals who want lower monthly premiums and are comfortable with higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of significant medical services. They are ideal for those who are relatively healthy and do not expect to need extensive medical care. These plans can be a good choice for budget-conscious consumers who want to ensure they have protection against the cost of major health issues.

The cheapest plan in the Expanded Bronze tier in Georgia is the SoloCare No Referral HMO Standard Expanded Bronze offered by Alliant with a monthly cost of $347. The three most affordable Expanded Bronze plans in Georgia are:

• SoloCare No Referral HMO Standard Expanded Bronze from Alliant ($347 per month)
• SoloCare No Referral HMO Standard Expanded Bronze Chiro from Alliant ($351 per month)
• SoloCare PPO Standard Expanded Bronze from Alliant ($353 per month)

Expanded Bronze plans are suitable for customers seeking lower monthly premiums with moderately higher out-of-pocket costs when they need care. These plans may be a good fit for individuals who are in relatively good health and want to ensure they have coverage for major medical events. Customers who choose these plans do so to balance monthly budget constraints while maintaining access to essential health benefits.

The most affordable Catastrophic plan in Georgia is Secure from Oscar, with a monthly cost of $238. Here are the three cheapest Catastrophic plans in Georgia:

• Secure from Oscar ($238 per month)
• SoloCare Catastrophic No Referral HMO from Alliant ($242 per month)
• SoloCare Catastrophic No Referral HMO Chiro from Alliant ($244 per month)

These plans are for people under 30 or who qualify for a hardship exemption. They have cheap monthly costs but expensive MOOPs. They're ideal for people who wish to save money monthly but remain covered for major health problems. But if you need to see a doctor often or have multiple prescriptions, other metal tiers are a better fit.

The most affordable Platinum health insurance plan in Georgia is the SoloCare Platinum No Referral HMO - $0 PCP, $0 Generic Rx offered by Alliant, with a monthly cost of $683.

Platinum plans are designed for customers who expect to need frequent medical care. These plans offer the highest monthly premiums compared with other tiers but minimize out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copayments and co-insurance. As such, they can be particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic health conditions or those who require regular, comprehensive health care services.

In Georgia, individuals earning up to 250% below the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) when they choose Silver plans. These CSRs make health care more affordable by decreasing deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

The most affordable Silver plan available for those with incomes ranging from $14,580 to $21,870 is the Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 offered by Anthem (BCBS), featuring a MOOP of $790. The Silver plans with the lowest out-of-pocket costs are:

• Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 from Anthem (BCBS) (monthly cost: $412, MOOP: $790)
• Anthem Silver Blue Value 5900/40% Standard from Anthem (BCBS) (monthly cost $414, MOOP: $1,800)

Cost-sharing reductions in Georgia are attainable exclusively through the purchase of Silver plans. The income amounts specified are for single individuals, with variations for different household sizes.

In Georgia, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans are the most popular plan type among residents. The most affordable HMO option available is Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 from Anthem (BCBS) at $412 per month.

• HMO: Anthem Silver Blue Value 6500 from Anthem (BCBS) ($412 per month)
• PPO: SoloCare PPO Standard Silver from Alliant ($487 per month)

While HMOs offer affordability and coordinated care through a primary care physician, Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) provide more flexibility by allowing coverage for services both in and out of network without the need for a referral. These plan types cater to different health care needs and preferences of individuals in Georgia.

The availability and price of health insurance plans vary considerably by county. The most affordable plans in the biggest and smallest counties in Georgia are:

• Fulton: Silver Simple PCP Saver from Oscar ($476 per month)
• Taliaferro: Standard Silver from Ambetter ($469 per month)

The table below offers a complete summary of plans offered in all counties in Georgia, helping you to locate the appropriate coverage for your area.

In Georgia, age majorly affects how much people pay for health insurance within metal tiers. For example, an 18-year-old with a Silver plan pays $377 monthly, while a 60-year-old pays $1,119 for that same type of plan. The cost for a 60-year-old is significantly higher by $742 compared with an 18-year-old.

When comparing metal tiers for a 40-year-old in Georgia, a Bronze plan costs $428, and a Gold plan costs $561 per month. The Gold plan is $133 more expensive per month than the Bronze plan, reflecting its higher level of coverage and benefits.

The following illustration shows how health insurance costs within the same metal level are usually higher for older people.

Georgia has many health insurance options, including private insurance in the marketplace with different metal levels like Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Medicaid and Medicare are also available. MoneyGeek reviewed these options so you can make effective health care decisions.

In Georgia, the open enrollment period typically runs from November 1st through December 15th each year. During this time, you can shop for private health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This is an opportunity to compare plans, check if you qualify for subsidies and enroll in a new plan or renew existing coverage. If you miss the December 15th deadline, you might not be able to get coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to life events like marriage, birth of a child or loss of other coverage. SEPs allow enrollment outside the standard open enrollment period.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program providing health care assistance to eligible low-income families, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. In Georgia, eligibility is based on income, family size and specific criteria such as being pregnant, a parent or caretaker of a child, elderly or having a disability. Children may qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) if their family income is too high for Medicaid. The Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility, but Georgia has not adopted the expansion as of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, so the state's eligibility requirements remain more limited compared with expansion states.

Medicare is a federal health care program primarily for individuals who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. In Georgia, eligibility follows these federal guidelines. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays and some home health care services. Part B (Medical Insurance) handles outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) offers an alternative to Original Medicare with varying benefits and often includes prescription drug coverage. Part D provides prescription drug coverage. There are also Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) which help cover costs not fully paid by Original Medicare.

MoneyGeek evaluated the best Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Georgia.

As you search for health insurance plans, you might wonder about prices and options. MoneyGeek answered common questions about low-cost private health insurance in Georgia to help you understand more.