Georgia Access open enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. To have coverage start January 1, pick a plan by December 15.
Georgia runs its own marketplace, so the rules differ from HealthCare.gov. Two insurers are leaving, and proposed rates are up about 21% on average. A licensed agent can help you compare plans for free at 888-730-6031.
- Pick a plan by December 15 for January 1 coverage, or by January 15 for February 1.
- UnitedHealthcare and Cigna are leaving Georgia Access, so their members must choose a new plan.
- Georgia Access insurers filed an average increase of about 21% before subsidies.
- Premium tax credits stop above 400% of the poverty level, about $63,840 for one person.
- A Georgia-licensed agent can enroll you directly and update your income at no cost.
Georgia Access Open Enrollment Dates and Deadlines
The enrollment window opens November 1 and closes January 15. Your sign-up date decides when coverage begins. For a refresher on how the yearly window works, see our guide to what open enrollment means.
| Date | What happens in Georgia |
|---|---|
| November 1 | Open enrollment begins on Georgia Access. New plans and prices appear. |
| December 15 | Last day to enroll or switch for coverage that starts January 1. |
| January 1 | Coverage begins if you enrolled by December 15 and paid your first premium. |
| January 15 | Open enrollment ends. Plans picked December 16 to January 15 start February 1. |
| After January 15 | You need a qualifying life event, such as a move or job loss, to enroll. |
Sources: healthinsurance.org Georgia marketplace guide and Georgia Access renewal page.
Also, Georgia skipped its window-shopping preview this season. As a result, you won't see new prices until November 1, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That leaves less time to compare, so plan to shop early.
These dates could still change. A federal court struck down a rule that would have ended enrollment on December 15. However, the government has appealed, so treat December 15 as your real target.
How Is Georgia Access Different From HealthCare.gov?
Georgia Access is the state's own marketplace, and it replaced HealthCare.gov for Georgians. It also lets approved private websites and agents enroll you directly, which is rare.
Georgia used HealthCare.gov for more than a decade before it switched to Georgia Access. Today, you can enroll in four ways:
- On georgiaaccess.gov: shop and apply on your own.
- With a licensed agent or broker: get one-on-one help comparing insurers.
- Through an approved enrollment website: Georgia calls these enhanced direct enrollment partners.
- With a navigator or counselor: get free, unbiased help from a certified assister.
Meanwhile, tax credits only come through these approved channels. In other words, a plan bought straight from an insurer's off-exchange site won't carry a tax credit. That detail matters during Georgia marketplace open enrollment, since many people shop several sites.
For a full look at plan types and local options, visit our Georgia health insurance guide.
Which Insurers Are Leaving and Staying in Georgia?
Eight insurers plan to sell on Georgia Access, down from nine. UnitedHealthcare and Cigna are leaving the exchange, while Antidote Health Plan is joining.
| Insurer | Status on Georgia Access | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | Leaving the exchange | Marketplace plans end December 31. Off-exchange plans continue, but without tax credits. |
| Cigna | Leaving the exchange | Members must pick a plan from another insurer. |
| Antidote Health Plan | New this season | Another choice in the counties it serves. |
| Ambetter, Oscar, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and others | Staying | Prices and networks may change, so compare before renewing. |
Sources: Medical Daily report on the UnitedHealthcare exit and the healthinsurance.org Georgia guide. Insurer lists can change before November 1.
If your insurer is leaving, Georgia Access open enrollment is when you must act. Georgia Access says members must select a new plan when their insurer stops offering coverage in their area. People who do nothing could lose coverage when the old plan ends.
Before you choose, read our guide on what to do when your insurer leaves the marketplace. Then confirm your doctors with our in-network doctor search.
A licensed Vivna agent can compare Georgia Access plans in your county at no cost. Call 888-730-6031 or get a free quote online.
How Much Will Georgia Marketplace Plans Cost?
Sticker prices are rising again this Georgia Access open enrollment, but most enrollees still get help. Georgia insurers filed an average increase of about 21% before subsidies, based on rate filings tracked by ACASignups.
Last season, 89% of Georgia enrollees received a premium subsidy. On average, that help was worth $688 a month. Even so, enrollment fell to about 900,000 after the extra pandemic-era credits ended.
Who Qualifies for Tax Credits?
Tax credits now stop once income passes 400% of the federal poverty level. People call that limit the subsidy cliff. The table shows where it falls.
| Household size | 100% of poverty level | 400% of poverty level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $86,560 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $109,280 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $132,000 |
Poverty guidelines used for the coming plan year, from the healthinsurance.org subsidy guide.
Your income must also be above 100% of the poverty level. In addition, credits are now limited to citizens and certain immigrants, such as green card holders. Our guide to marketplace subsidies explains the full formula.
Extra Help With Deductibles
If your income is 100% to 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan may lower your deductible and copays. Georgia Access calls this a cost-sharing reduction. It only applies to silver plans, so pick the metal level with care.
What If Your Income Is Too Low for Georgia Access?
Adults at or below 100% of the poverty level may qualify for Georgia Pathways instead. Pathways is the state's limited Medicaid program for adults ages 19 to 64.
To keep Pathways, members must log 80 hours a month of work, school or service. Starting in January, earning at least $580 a month can also count, according to Georgia Pathways. New exemptions also apply to some caregivers and other groups.
Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids accept applications all year. If no program fits, see our list of low-income coverage options without Medicaid.
How to Enroll With an Agent During Georgia Access Open Enrollment
An agent can handle your Georgia Access open enrollment from start to finish. Because Georgia allows direct enrollment, your agent can submit the application with you on the phone.
- Gather your details: income for the coming year, household members and your doctor list.
- Update your application: report new income so your credit is accurate.
- Compare total yearly cost: add premium, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
- Check networks and drugs: confirm each plan covers your doctors and prescriptions.
- Pick a plan by December 15: then pay your first premium so coverage starts January 1.
Depending on your county, our agents can compare insurers such as Ambetter, Oscar and Blue Cross Blue Shield. For tips on keeping or changing your current plan, read our guide to renewing health insurance.
If You Miss the Deadline
After January 15, you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage or moving. Most events give you 60 days to enroll. Our guide to buying coverage after the enrollment window covers each option.
Georgia is also a state where Vivna offers short-term health insurance from UnitedHealthcare. It can bridge a gap, yet it is not ACA coverage. Plans may exclude pre-existing conditions, and you'll answer health questions to qualify.
Georgia Access Open Enrollment FAQs
Can I still use HealthCare.gov if I live in Georgia?
No. Georgians now apply through Georgia Access, an approved enrollment website, or a licensed agent. Tax credits are only available through those channels.
If you need to activate a Georgia Access account, the state call center at 1-888-687-1503 can help. A Vivna agent can also walk you through it.
Will my plan renew if UnitedHealthcare leaves the exchange?
Not on Georgia Access. Marketplace plans from UnitedHealthcare end December 31. The company still sells off-exchange plans in Georgia, but those plans don't come with tax credits.
So, most members who get a subsidy will want a new exchange plan. Choose one by December 15 to avoid a gap in January.
Is Georgia ACA enrollment different for self-employed people?
The rules are the same, but income is harder to estimate. You report expected net self-employment income for the coming year.
A low guess can mean repaying credits at tax time, while a high guess can cost you savings now. Update your application whenever your income changes, and talk to a tax professional about your situation.
Does it cost more to enroll through an agent?
No. Our help is free because insurers pay us, and you never pay a fee. Your premium for a given plan is the same whether you enroll alone or with an agent.
You can read more answers in our Georgia health insurance FAQ library.
Next Steps for Georgia Access Open Enrollment
Georgia Access open enrollment is your one yearly chance to fix a plan that no longer fits. First, check whether your insurer is leaving. Next, update your income, and then compare plans before December 15.
Ready for help with your Georgia health insurance enrollment period? Call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. You can also see our open enrollment health insurance page for plan comparisons.
Sources
- healthinsurance.org: Georgia health insurance marketplace
- Georgia Access: Renew or update coverage
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia marketplace prices and enrollment
- Medical Daily: UnitedHealthcare exits the Georgia marketplace
- ACASignups: Georgia rate filings
- healthinsurance.org: Will you receive an ACA premium subsidy?
- Georgia Pathways: Changes under federal law
Related Guides
- What is open enrollment?
- Open enrollment deadlines by state
- Your open enrollment checklist
- Florida open enrollment guide
- How to switch health plans
About the author: Heather Sprague
Heather is the owner and agent of record at Vivna Insurance, a licensed independent agency in Deerfield Beach, Florida. She helps families and self-employed workers compare marketplace, short-term and supplemental plans. Licensed health insurance agent, Vivna Insurance (Agency NPN 19168641). Call 888-730-6031.
Reviewed by Michael Sprague, licensed health insurance agent.
Vivna Insurance is a licensed independent agency, not a government website, and is not Georgia Access. Our help is free; we are paid by the insurance companies we work with. Plan availability, rates and savings vary by county and income.
Get Local Help in Georgia
Plans, networks and county programs differ across Georgia. Start with your city guide below.
See every city we cover on the Georgia health insurance page, or read our Georgia health insurance questions and answers.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 888-730-6031 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, for free help from a licensed agent.
