SECTION I: Be Involved in Your Healthcare

Help your healthcare professional help you. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about your healthcare.
What Can You Do?

  The following tips help make your care safe and lead to the results you want.  
Words written in blue are links to additional resources
To view other sections, click on one of these:
What Are My Costs for Health Care?

What are My Health Plan Choices?

- Indemnity Plan
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Managed Care - HMO, PPO, POS
- Medicaid - including
PeachCare for Kids
- Medicare


- For more information visit AHRQ's, "Choosing and Using a Health Plan"

What if I Do Not Have Health insurance?

- Talk to your health care provider or hospital about payment or payment plans.
- Most hospitals and health care providers have payment plans.

- Contact The Georgia Department of Human Resources to see if you qualify for Medicaid. Click here for eligibility guidelines.

- For More information, click here

Know Your Health Insurance Rules and Requirements:

- Does your health insurance plan pay for all tests or treatments?
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Do you have a deductible?
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Does your plan require pre-certification or prior approvals or procedures or prescriptions?
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How much does the test or treatment cost?
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If you require a hospital stay, is your insurance accepted at the facility you or your doctor choose?

How Can I Get the Best Care With My Health Insurance Plan?

- Read your health insurance policy and member handbook. If you do not understand information on benefits, coverage, and limits, contact your health insurance company or visit their website for more information. Click here for some links to insurance providers in Georgia.
- Be an informed consumer by asking your health care providers and insurance company questions about your health care.
- Keep track of your health by keeping a file of your health history at home.

If I want More Information, Does My Health Insurance Company Have a Website?
Click here to view a list of the top 10 HMOs and top 25 PPOs in Georgia

What Do I Do If I do Not Have Insurance?
- Talk with your doctor(s) or hospital regarding payment for treatment
- Most hospitals have financial planning.
- Call your local hospital and ask them if they can set up a payment plan with you.

Ask questions - Asking questions will help you understand your care

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