Your State Government's Oversight of Health Insurance in Georgia
The Government of the state of Georgia is involved in developing, implementing and managing health insurance regulations applicable to insurance business in the state. In meeting this obligation, the State Government usually works to balance the needs of consumers with an economic environment that supports a robust financial growth rate. With regards to health insurance, the State Government services three major groups: resident consumers, insurance providers, and independent insurance brokers.
The Government's primary control tool for promoting a good health insurance system is based on the licensing and management of health insurance providers and brokers. For managing insurance providers, the Government develops basic standards for insurance products and requires periodic financial statement audits, ensuring that taxation regulations are met. For insurance brokers, the State Government sets professional licensing requirements, administers broker license tests and issues licenses, establishes and administers continuing education criteria, and collects broker licensing fees. The State level Government is responsible for looking out for and investigating insurance crimes and fraud, particularly as it relates to consumers or if it may harm the business environment of the state.
For insurance consumers, the State Government makes available guidelines for consumers to help residents succeed in finding their best health insurance choices. The State-level Government can also help consumers file health insurance appeals with their insurance provider when a dispute occurs over the insurance policy terms. Lastly, the State Government performs the work associated with administering Federal Medicare regulations for state implementation where subsidized insurance is provided to lower income individuals and families, uninsured children, under-insured seniors, or self-employed individuals.