Consumers Life exits Ga. market; Health Partners offers options to its members

GAINESVILLE - Northeast Georgia Health Partners (Health Partners, a Gainesville-based PPO (preferred provider organization), has announced additional insurance coverage options for its members in light of Consumers Life Insurance Company's decision to leave the Georgia Market Jan. 1, 2014.

Consumer's Life is one of three insurance companies Health Partners contracts with to administer insurance coverage to its network members. Health Partners currently has more than 7,000 members in Northeast Georgia contracted with the Consumers Life plan.

"Health Partners believes in a broker-driven, diversified strategy with many insurance carrier partners," says Steve McNeilly, director of Health Partners. "Health Partners has contracts with two additional regional insurance companies, Alliant Health Plans and Athens Area Health Plan Select. Both companies are capable of providing the same or similar benefits, allowing members to continue to use the same network with limited disruption."

McNeilly says Athens Area Health Plan Select agreed to try to provide similar pricing for members.

"Athens Area Health Plan Select, in partnership with Health Partners, will use our best efforts to match pricing for current Consumers Life members," says Jeff Kunkle, executive director of Athens Area Health Plan Select. "We would be pleased to serve these members and allow them to enjoy seamless access to the same provider network."

McNeilly advises members to call their insurance brokers for information on how to obtain pricing from either Athens Area Health Plan Select or Alliant Health Plans.

"We have enjoyed a long partnership with Consumers Life," says McNeilly, adding that the network entered into a partnership with Medical Mutual of Ohio (Consumers Life) in 2005. "In light of the healthcare challenges ahead, we understand their business decision to exit several markets, including Georgia. We are pleased that we have additional Georgia-based options for our members covered by Consumers Life so they can continue using our network with a smooth transition."

Consumers Life is leaving the Georgia market in order to concentrate on its "core business" in Ohio and has contracted with with United HealthCare to be the preferred, but not mandated, carrier to take over the coverage for all groups.

Health Partners is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Georgia Health System offered in partnership with regional physicians and hospitals, with more than 600 doctors and 50 ancillary providers. Seven hospitals are also a part of the network.