Health & Medical (Georgia)

Home Georgia Health & Medical

Workers Compensation

FAQs On Workers Compensation (GA)

Government Agencies. Georgia Health Associations & Non-profits

GA Insurance Regulations & Complaints

Insurance Complaint Form (GA) (Need Acrobat Reader)

Workers Comp Claims: Prepping For Adverse Medical Exams

Consumer's Resource Handbook
Contains 144 pages of assistance with consumer problems and complaints.

Consumer And Government Health Care Links (NCQA.org)

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

See Consumer-SOS- The Workplace/Insurance. & Benefits

Insurance Regulations & Complaints
Regulations
Complaints

Insurance Regulations

Insurer Bad Faith (GA Only)
Your rights when your insurer in bad faith refuses to pay your claim. YOU MUST CLICK ON LINK, USE YOUR BACK BUTTON AND THEN CLICK ON LINK AGAIN OR YOU'LL BE STUCK ON THEIR HOME PAGE!!!

Regulators Governing Health & Ins. Plans (All 50 States & DC)
For Both Managed Care Plans and Fee For Service Plans.

Know Your COBRA Rights (With Links To All 50 States & DC)
Their drop box links you to your regional or district office of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, which oversees COBRA.

Consumer And Government Advocates
Many of these groups protect the consumer against unethical insurance companies. May also furnish you with regulations if you ask.

Your Rights Under The Family Medical Leave Act

Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)

Related Topics
Insurance
The Work Place

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Complaints

*Georgia Insurance Complaints

Ins. Co. Emergency Claim Numbers

Managed Care (Consumer-SOS)
HMOs, PPOs, Hospitals, etc.Choosing a health plan, getting them to treat you right, and where to complain and get help.

State Insurance Regulators (All 50 States & DC)

Insurance Complaints (All 50 States & DC)
Also has good info on resolving disputes.

Fighting Insurance Companies When They Deny Your Claim How to protect yourself, establish contacts, gather allies and write your appeals and grievance letters.

Consumer And Government Advocates
Many of these groups protect the consumer against unethical insurance companies. May also furnish you with regulations if you ask.

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select Texas, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)

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Medical Directives/Living Wills (Power of Attorney For Health Care)

Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care (GA) (Printable form)

Becoming A Guardian (Consumer-SOS)
What to do if an adult becomes incapacitated and there's no living will.

Durable Power Of Attorney & Health Care Directives (Nolo.com)

Writing A Living Will That's Valid In Your State (For All 50 States & DC)
Scroll down to nearly end of page and select your state. Then just download form and fill in the blanks!

Writing A Valid Living Will In All 50 States (Backup Site)

Register Your Living With With US Hospitals
Register Your Living Will With US Hospitals (Free Online Service)
The Registry electronically stores your advance directive in its computer database and identifies it by your social security number. Hospitals from anywhere in the country can then call the computer on the telephone, and request a copy of your advance directive.

Power of Attorney (Consumer-SOS)
Information on general power of attorney and not just for health care.

Living Trust Offers: How to Make Sure They're Trust-worthy

Last Acts
Links and brochures on death related issues.

Consumer And Government Health Care Links (NCQA.org)

See Elder Care Topics ( Nolo.com)
For information on Social Security, Retirement Plans,
Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and Managed Care, Long-Term Healthcare, Estate Planning, Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney and more.

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What To Ask & Tell Your Doctor

To get the most from a short visit with your doctor, it helps to prepare for the dialogue.

Before Your Appointment.

· Write down all the questions you want to ask. Pick the three you think are most important to you.

· Bring a list of all your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. Bring in any herbs or
supplements that you take.

If you are feeling sick or too scared, bring a friend or relative who can help take notes and ask questions for you.

At The Start Of The Visit.

· Ask your doctor how much time you have together.

· Explain what you have already done to get better.

· Mention the top three "must discuss" items on your list.

During The Visit, Ask:

· What does the doctor think happened to you, and why?

· What do you need to do now?

· What will the doctor do for you?

· Will it hurt, and, if so, for how long?

· When will you and the doctor know more about how you are doing?

Discuss A Plan.

· Ask the doctor to write down the treatment choices for your illness, and the pros and cons for each
choice.

· If you don't understand what the doctor is suggesting, ask him or her to use different words that you do
understand.

· Agree on a plan of action with your doctor. And then write the plan down.

· Ask who-and when-you can call with more questions.

What To Ask About Medications

My Medicines (What To Ask)
Tips on how to read the label, avoid problems, ask questions and keep a record.

Other Questions

· What are the brand and generic names?

· Do You Have Any Trial Samples (Saves You $)

· Is there a less expensive drug?

· Which symptoms will it treat?

· How long will I have to take it?

· At what time of day?

· What happens if I miss a dose?

· Can I eat anything I want? Do I take it with food?

· Are there side effects.

· Should I avoid certain things like alcohol, smoking or sun exposure. (may cause problems with certain
antibiotics).

· Will I need to refill the prescription?

· When Should I be feeling better?

Where Else To Go For Help

Free or Low Cost Medical Help For the Poor or Uninsured (Consumer-SOS)
Includes free or low cost prescriptions, help with insurance premiums, co-pays and medical treatment.

Atlanta Area Hospitals (With links)

https://www.consumer-action.org
Check out their website for information on health care, privacy issues, insurance matters, pricing surveys on banking credit and other hot topics. Consumer Action is also a lobbyist group. Their representatives in California and Washington DC promote laws with consumer interests at heart.

The Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Office (404) 656-2070
Call if you have a problem with your insurance benefits.

Low Cost Medicines
One-stop link to thousands of low cost medicines offered through hundreds of patient assistance programs sponsored by member companies, non-member companies and government and local organizations.

Cleaning For A Reason: Free House Cleaning For Women With Cancer (50 States, DC & Canada)
If you are a woman with cancer and at least 18 years old, their affiliate maid services will provide you with a free cleaning once a month for up to 4 months. After your application is complete and your doctor verification is received, they'll contact the maid service partner in your area.

Benefits Checkup
Find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Please fill out their simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones.

The Medical Information Bureau (617) 426-3660
For a charge of $8.00 they will tell you if your medical record is kept on file. Give them a call if you have been denied insurance coverage and think such was based on an error in your insurance records.

The Georgia Attorney General's Office (404) 656-3300
This agency deals with a variety of matters including medical related fraud.

Department of Medical Assistance/Managed Care Division (404) 657-7253 or (800) 533-0686
Call to report Medicaid fraud.

Georgia State Government/Secretary Of State (404) 656-3900
To complain about a health care worker's performance or to file a report with that person's licensing board.

The National Committee For Quality Assurance (800) 839-6487 or (888) 275-7585
This agency will tell you if your health plan meets their accreditation standards.

The Medicare Hotline (800) 772-1213
Call if you're a Medicare or Medicaid recipient unhappy with your treatment. Don't hang up if you hear a recording about social security. The automated system will eventually offer Medicare options.

Health & Human Services/Division Of Health Services & Quality (404) 562-7398
Medicare and Medicaid recipients can call this agency if unhappy with their treatment.

Division Of Aging Services (404) 657-5319
To report problems with nursing homes/elder care services.

GA Dept. Of Human Resources/Office Or Regulatory Service (404) 657-5550
To complain about the cleanliness or quality of care at a medical facility.

Georgia Hospital Association (770) 955-0324
May help you with a dispute with a hospital if it involves a hospital that is one of their members.

GA Dental Association Peer Review Mediation (404) 636-7553

Medical Association Of Atlanta (404) 881-1020
Helps in resolving fee disputes.

The Georgia Clerk's Office For The House Of Reps (404) 656-5015
Call to find out if Georgia has passed or is in the process of passing a law concerning your particular consumer issue. They may even mail you a copy of the law if you ask them nicely.

For More Help contact your local TV and radio stations. Large companies hate bad publicity. And the last thing your insurer/HMO wants is to be on TV for not paying your claim. Georgia Residents can call Channel 11's Call For Action (678) 422-8466 and ask that someone call the insurer on your behalf. They can also call WSB CONSUMER ACTION CENTER (404) 892-8227 and ask if they'll do likewise. If that doesn't work, get in touch with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner (404) 656-2056. When all else fails, talk to an attorney.

Free or Low Cost Medical Help Including for The Poor or Uninsured (GA & National)
Includes free or lower cost prescriptions, help with insurance premiums, co-pays and medical treatment.

Free or Low Cost Prescription Drugs (Consumer-SOS)

Can't Afford Your Co-Pays or Health Insurance Premiums? (Consumer-SOS)
Empower yourself with the numerous programs that will help you pay for expensive medicines or health insurance coverage.

Free Or Low Cost Clinics In Georgia (Consumer-SOS)
Medical, Dental, Vision, Mental Health and Pharmacy Services

Low Cost Health Insurance From The Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program (Georgia)
When you are accepted into the Bridge Program, you are enrolled in the KP GA Gold 500 Ded/500 Rx Ded plan or KP GA Signature Gold 500 Ded/500 Rx Ded plan for your health coverage. You also get financial help in the following two ways:
1. Help paying all of your monthly premiums. Kaiser Permanente will subsidize the full monthly premium, so you have no monthly payment.
2. Help paying cost sharing services. You pay no out-of-pocket costs for most covered services that you receive at Kaiser Permanente medical offices. If you receive care somewhere other than Kaiser Permanente, in most cases you’ll have to pay the copays or out-of-pocket costs on your own.

Free or Low Cost Clinics For Medical, Dental, Vision, Mental Health and Pharmacy Services (Consumer-SOS)
FIRST, ask your local church or synagogue for assistance. If they truly care about people and have the resources, they may put you in touch with clinics peopled with their own doctors or help you directly with financial assistance. Below are low cost clinics that require payment based on your ability to pay.

Medical Bills-Slashing Them Down to Size (Consumer-SOS)
Cutting your costs and negotiating with insurance companies.

Patient Advocacy Foundation
Shows public and non profit groups that can help the uninsured patient navigate their access to healthcare, deal with the financial cost of treatment, gather options for future health insurance coverage and work to effectively manage and decrease costs while seeking medical care. They are dedicated to helping patients with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illnesses.

Financial Aid Fund Division-Patient Advocate Foundation (855) 824-7941 (Toll-Free)
Use their financial resource directory search enging to quickly generate a list of national and regional resources for free or low cost medicines. Patients who are interested in applying for financial assistance should start by calling this division toll free at (855) 824-7941. The small grant programs under the Financial Aid Fund division are not part of PAF’s Co-Pay Relief assistance program and operate independently from other case management services.

NeedHelpPayingmyBills (State By State Assistance)
To help pay medical bills, taxes, rent and mortgage help, etc.

The Artists' Health Insurance Resource Center-AHIRC (Google Search)
Their mission: That every artist in the US has affordable, quality health insurance and health care.
With in-person counseling in New York and Los Angeles, national telephone support, and more than one hundred Getting and Keeping Health Insurance workshops offered at arts, cultural and human services organizations throughout the country, AHIRC works to reduce the number of uninsured artists and expand access to quality, affordable health care.
For more information, contact us at 323-933-9244 ext. 32 in Los Angeles, or 212-221-7300 ext. 265 in New York.

Prescription Help

GoodRX.com (Comparison Shop For lowest Price Near You)
Type in the name of your prescription medicine. And then on the next screen up top, type it in again along with your ZipCode for the lowest prices near you. Site claims it can save you up to 80%.

Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs
Drugs are sold for a fully disclosed price plus a 15% markup, a $5 pharmacy service fee and a $5 shipping fee. The company uses accredited pharmacists to fill prescriptions, selling through roughly 4,000 retail pharmacies. These pharmacies can purchase directly from the company or from another source at a different price. But the price paid out-of-pocket by the patient is invariably based on the CPD formula.

Pharmstore.com (Canadian Prescription Referral Service)
Provides you with direct access to cost effective prescription drugs and serves both American and international customers.

Low Cost Medicines (Medical Assistance Tool)
This search engine helps patients, caregivers and health care providers to find the resources available through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs. To determine what's avaiable, you must first fill out their brief list of questions.

Patient Financial Assistance Programs 888-477-2669
For free or low cost prescriptions and low cost medical clinics.

Check Walmart and Sam's for Their $4.00 Generic Drug List (All States)

Georgia Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.

Free Or Low Cost Medicines Though Pfizer and Affiliated Programs 1-866-706-2400

Pfizer will provide free medicines for those who have lost their job, lack drug coverage or are financially troubled. About 70 Pfizer medications will be available through the program. Make sure to click on each of the tabs to see all free or low cost programs for OTC and prescription medicines.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (All States-1-888-477-2669)
Many of the prescription drug programs listed by the Partnership offer free or low-price medicines. Each medicine savings program has its own guidelines. These are prescription assistance programs offered by drug companies, states, and other resources.

GA PeachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)

Help With Paying Co-Pays & Insurance Premiums
Can't afford expensive prescription medicines?
Here are private organizatoipns that pay for all or much of your co-pay for costly medicines for cancer, eye probelms and many other debilitating conditons.

For help with your insurance premiums check out the private groups below and your government Medicare and Medicaid programs. With Medicaid, you may qualify for your employer's expensive insurance and have Medicaid pay the premiums!

Co-Pay Assistance Programs

RxAssist.org
Here are groups that offer to help insured patients that are having difficulty paying the co-pays for their medications or their insurance. Help can include the co-pay costs for for expensive medication needed for chronic diseases, cancer and many other health conditions.

The HealthWell Foundation
Assists individuals who cannot afford their insurance copayments, premiums, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket health care costs.

Google Co-Pay Assistance Programs (Google Search)
In the Google search box, add the medicine you need help with.

Patient Advocate Foundation
Whether you are uninsured, insured and need help with premiums, copays, costly medicines, etc, these guys have the links and numbers to call to get help!

Insurance Premium Assistance Programs

The HealthWell Foundation
Assists individuals who cannot afford their insurance copayments, premiums, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket health care costs.

Google: Help With Paying Health Insurance Premium
Search targets non profit groups that help pay some or all of your insurance premiums.

Patient Advocate Foundation
Whether you are uninsured, insured and need help with premiums, copays, costly medicines, etc, these guys have the links and numbers to call to get help!

Medicare Premiums: How To Qualify For Assistance 800-318-2596
Has resource limits plus chart for various medicare programs.

Medicare State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Select your state to see if Medicare will help pay your drug plan premiums and/or other drug costs. See also 6 Ways To Lower Your Coverage Gap Costs

Medicaid & CHIP-Pays Premiums For Employer Sponsored Health Insurance
If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you ’re eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage (Medicaid pays all or part of a family or child’s health insurance premium.)

You may still qualify even if you don't qualify for Medicaid based on income, especially if you have children, are pregnant, or have a disability.

Free or Low Cost Clinics For Medical, Dental, Vision, Mental Health and Pharmacy Services
If you are uninsured and need medical attention.

Statewide Or Multi County Clinics
Cobb County Clinics
Fulton County Clinics
Other Counties

Statewide or Multi-County

Georgia Charitable Care Network
Clinics offer a variety of health care services, including medical, dental, vision, mental health and pharmacy services. However, not all clinics offer all services. Not all areas of Georgia have a charitable clinic. Some may request a voluntary donation from their patients, some may charge a small fee or request no payment at all. Each clinic is different, and GCCN encourages you to contact the clinic directly with specific questions.

Georgia Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.

Charitable Dental Clinics Throughout Georgia
Clinics that may offer one or more of the following services often on a sliding fee scale based on your income for cleanings, fillings, extractions, partials, dentures, X-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments.

Dental Medicaid (GA)
Georgia Families is a program that delivers health care services to members of Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids®. The program is a partnership between the Department of Community Health and private care management organizations Amerigroup, Peach State, and WellCare. The three CMOs subcontract the management of their dental programs to the groups Scion (Amerigroup), DentaQuest (Peach State), and Avesis (WellCare as of January 1, 2013). For information about the program visit.

Ben Massell Dental Clinic (404) 881-1858
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic is fully staffed by volunteer dentists and offers comprehensive care to qualified individuals in the followin counties: Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale.in every specialty below:

Care Offered Includes:
fillings
oral surgery
prosthetics
extractions
endodontics
periodontics
orthodontics (children only)

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies of Georgia 770-451-0020
Provide direct resources and education to families but also bolster the workforce and reduce systematic barriers to ensure that every mother, birthing person and child has access to resources for a healthier life. To support this need, HMHBGA focuses on the full spectrum of maternal and infant health concerns from prematurity to maternal mortality.

Sliding Scale Fee Community GA Health Care Centers (Google)

Add your city or county in the Google search box.

GA P eachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)

Free Flu Shots In GA (Near Or During Flu Season)
Metro Atlanta pharmacies will often provide free flu shots.

Georgia Find Help (GA Search Engine)
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, child care, financial assistance, job training, and more.

Cobb County

Vision & Hearing

Georgia Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.

General Clinics (Cobb County)

Good Samaritan 770-419 3120
Cobb County residents who do not have private health insurance and can not afford to pay for healthcare in the private sector. The center is located at 1605 Roberta Dr Marietta, GA 30008 Patients are seen by appointment

Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654
Christ-centered 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing quality, affordable healthcare services to those in need. Serving Cherokee county: Canton, Woodstock, Towne Lake, Holly Springs, Waleska, Ball Ground; Cobb county: Acworth, Marietta, Kennesaw; and Jasper in Pickens county. Located at: 107 Mountain Brook Drive, Suite 100, Canton, Georgia 30115

Luke's Place (Blairsville and Surrounding Areas) (706) 994-0981
No appointment necessary--just show up and sign in. Will issue prescriptions as needed. Provides Free or low cost, Quality, Basic Healthcare to the Uninsured of Mableton & Surrounding Communities. .

For Other Social Service Help in Cobb County
Medical, legal, financial, etc.

Georgia Find Help (GA Search Engine)
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, child care, financial assistance, job training, and more.

Fulton

Dental

Clinics In Roswell Georgia (Google)
May not all be Dental Clinics.

Good Samaritan Health Center (404) 523-6571
Medical, Dental and Counseling Services.

Ben Massell Dental Clinic (404) 881-1858
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic is fully staffed by volunteer dentists and offers comprehensive care to qualified individuals in the followinf counties: Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale.in every specialty below:

Care Offered Includes:

fillings
oral surgery
prosthetics
extractions
endodontics
periodontics
orthodontics (children only)

Vision & Hearing

Georgia Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.

General Clinics

Good Samaritan Health Center
Medical, Dental and Counseling Services.

Mercy Mobile Health Center

Other FREE Clinics in Fulton and Other GA Counties

Southside Health Care (404) 688-1350

Morehouse Family Practice (404) 756-1200

Find A Health Clinic In Your State, City and County (All 50 States, DC, Guam, Etc)
This Web site will help you find a clinic for medical care, even if you have no medical insurance or money.

Other Help

Georgia Find Help (GA Search Engine)
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, child care, financial assistance, job training, and more.

GA P eachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)

See Your local Medical School for additional clinic information.

Medical Help In Other Locations

Dental

Charitable Dental Clinics Throughout Georgia

Vision & Hearing

Georgia Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and hearing care to the uninsured and working poor

General Clinics

Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654
Christ-centered 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing quality, affordable healthcare services to those in need.
Serving Cherokee county: Canton, Woodstock, Towne Lake, Holly Springs, Waleska, Ball Ground; Cobb county: Acworth, Marietta, Kennesaw; and Jasper in Pickens county. Located at: 107 Mountain Brook Drive, Suite 100, Canton, Georgia 30115

Physician Care Clinic (Dekalb County)

Find A Health Clinic In Your State, City and County (All 50 States, DC, Guam, Etc)
This Web site will help you find a clinic for medical care, even if you have no medical insurance or money.

Georgia Find Help (GA Search Engine)
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, child care, financial assistance, job training, and more.

Other Help

GA P eachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)

See Your local Medical School for additional clinic information.

Free Or Low Cost Prescription Drugs

GA P eachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)

Check Walmart and Sam's for Their $4.00 Generic Drug List (All States)

Georgia Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.

Free Or Low Cost Medicines Though Pfizer and Affiliated Programs 1-866-706-2400

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (All States-1-888-477-2669)
If the prescription drug programs listed by the Partnership offer free or low-price medicines. Each medicine savings program has its own guidelines. These are prescription assistance programs offered by drug companies, states, and other resources.

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INSURANCE RESOURCES

https://www.insure.com/health/
Provides well written, authoritative advice on health insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, etc. You can also link to insurance companies, quote services and agents, but the selling is done off the insure.com site.

Georgia Insurance Resources (Google)

Mental Health

American Psychiatric Association