By Joe Henke – 11Alive State officials have repeatedly said anyone, including uninsured, needing to be tested for COVID-19 will be tested for free. But will their treatment be covered? ATLANTA — During his town hall address broadcast across Georgia...
More infoGeorgia House committee passes surprise billing measure
By Dave Williams – Capitol Beat News Service Legislation aimed at ending the practice of “surprise billing” of medical patients in Georgia cleared a committee in the state House of Representatives Tuesday. Lawmakers have been trying for years to help...
More infoFamily Gets Relief On Surprise Bill; Ga. Legislation Advances To Help Others
By Andy Miller – Georgia Health News An agreement between a health insurer and a Rome hospital has shaved more than $10,000 off a surprise medical bill for a young asthma patient. Liam Stina’s hospital bill of more than $11,000 was featured in...
More infoHow a family learned the pain of surprise billing
By Andy Miller – Georgia Health News Lelia Stina had to act fast when her 4-year-old son, Liam, developed severe breathing problems last August. First she took him to an urgent care center in Rome, but it was a Sunday night and the center was closed...
More infoMany families surprised with out-of-network ER bills
By WSB-TV (watch video here) Surprise medical bills are a problem for many Georgians. Clark Howard and Senator Chuck Hufstetler discuss new balance billing legislation to end surprise medical bills. Copyright © 2020 WSB-TV Source: WSB-TV
More infoSenate bill seeks an end to surprise hospital charges in Georgia
By Beau Evans – Capitol Beat News Service The days of unexpectedly big hospital bills in Georgia could be nearing an end if a bill filed Tuesday in the state Senate reaches the finish line during the current legislative session. Senate Bill 293 would...
More infoDebt traps, easy filing rules fuel Georgia’s high bankruptcy rate
By Willoughby Mariano – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia’s remains among the top three states in the nation for personal bankruptcy filings, even as the state unemployment rate drops to all-time lows. The state’s overall number of...
More infoFewer Georgia hospitals earn ‘A’ safety rating in new Leapfrog report
By Andy Miller – Georgia Health News One in four Georgia hospitals earned an “A’’ grade in the latest safety ratings by the Leapfrog Group, released Thursday. That percentage is lower than the one-third of Georgia hospitals scoring an A in the spring...
More infoGeorgia Hospital Safety Still Improving Despite Drop in Ranking
Atlanta, Georgia—November 7, 2019 – The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit aiming to improve health care quality for consumers, employers and purchasers, announced today the fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. Georgia ranks 34th in the nation for...
More infoMore Georgians have no health insurance
By JoAnn Merrigan – WSAV (Watch Now) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – A recent report ranks Georgia as Number 3 on a new list, but healthcare advocates say this is one ranking the Peace State should not be excited about. The report from the U.S Census Bureau...
More infoGeorgia hospitals rarely disclose patient safety violations — sometimes fatal — to public, Telegraph analysis shows
By Max Blau – Macon Telegraph In December 2017, Sidney Canada felt dizzy and disoriented. The 52-year-old Georgia father often struggled to get a decent night’s rest, due to his sleep apnea. When he couldn’t talk clearly, his wife wondered if he had...
More infoGeorgians accused of registering for Tennessee Medicaid coverage
By Ariel Hart – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tennessee may have a problem: Georgia health care thieves. Sixteen people alleged to live in Georgia are under investigation by Tennessee authorities who say they received coverage under TennCare...
More info