Picking the Best ACA Health Plan in Georgia for 2024

Open enrollment spans the months of November 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024. Georgia operates on the federally mandated health insurance exchange, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This article will highlight the most affordable ACA Health Plans in Georgia, using the persona of a 30-year-old female who does not smoke, has no disability, and makes $70,000 annually.

What are the best ACA Health Plans in Georgia?

We’ve highlighted 15 health insurance plans offered by Georgia healthcare insurers based on the lowest deductibles and monthly premiums for 2023. For this article, we used the persona of a 30-year-old female who does not smoke, has no disability, and makes $70,000 to gather our data. Additionally, we used the zipcode 30044 to account for the highest population in Georgia based on U.S. Census Bureau Estimates.

15 Best Health Insurance Plans based on Lowest Deductibles, Monthly Premiums, and Easy Pricing

Source: healthcare.gov

*Easy pricing refers to the healthcare.gov tool to filter plans that have the same out-of-pocket costs and care before deductibles for some services.

Defining HMOs, PPOs, and EPOs 

Health insurance terms can be confusing. To save you several google searches, visit the Mira article to familiarize yourself with the most common terms you’ll come across when navigating your insurance process. 

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

HMOs usually limit coverage to care among doctors working for or in contract with the HMO. Out-of-network coverage is generally not covered except in cases of emergency. Coverage may also depend on whether you live or work within the area they service. 

Features of HMOs include: 

• Typically have lower insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs
• Lots of flexibility in choosing providers
• Requires a primary care physician (PCP) referral before seeking specialty care
• If out-of-network providers are used, expect to pay entirely out-of-pocket

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

PPOs allow you to choose your preferred physician or healthcare provider, whether in-network or out-of-network. This means you don’t need a referral from a primary care physician to visit other providers.

Features of PPOs include:

• Typically have higher premiums than HMOs or POS plans
• Those enrolled can freely seek specialists and out-of-network physicians without a referral
• A great option for those requiring frequent and various care and who can afford higher premiums

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)

EPOs are a budget-friendly managed care option. They are typically more restricted in their coverage and only cover in-network services. 

Features of EPOs include: 

• Usually have a more extensive network than HMOs
• May not require a referral from a primary care physician.
• Premiums are higher than HMOs but lower than PPOs

What Should I Consider When Picking a Health Plan?  

When looking for a health plan, you should consider a few things. First, you must consider your health needs, finances, and how much you can afford. These things will likely change as time goes on, but understanding before selecting will help you make the best decision. 

Consider Plans with Easy Pricing

As you navigate through the healthcare.gov site, many filters are available to help you learn more about your chosen plan. Consider marketplace plans marked with easy pricing. These plans are easier to compare because their out-of-pocket costs are the same within their health plan category. These prices include deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and copayments/co-insurance. Additionally, these plans will include benefits you can use with a copayment before you reach the deductible amount. Benefits include:

• Doctor and specialist visits, including mental health
• Urgent care
• Physical, speech, and occupational therapy
• Generic and most preferred drugs