Health care marketplace opens today – Times-Georgian: Local News

Despite talk of impending federal government shutdown, the online health care marketplace, the first phase of “Obamacare,” opened today for people who want to shop for health insurance.

While some states opted to host their own exchanges, Georgia is among 23 states that defaulted to the federal government marketplace site, www.healthcare.gov, for its residents to shop.

“Just go to the site and select ‘Georgia’ as your state,” said Glenn Allen, spokesman for the Georgia Insurance Commission. “There will be a list of five companies that will be offering policies, with their plans and pricing listed on the site.”

Allen said the five companies are Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia, Alliant, Peach State, Kaiser and Humana. An online premium calculator is provided to help buyers compare costs.

All participating companies are required to offer various levels of health coverage, designated by metal names – bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

“On the average, the bronze policy will pay 60 percent of medical costs,” said Bill Rencher, health access program director of Georgia Watch, a consumer group. “Silver would pay 70 percent; gold, 80; and platinum, 90.”

via Health care marketplace opens today – Times-Georgian: Local News.