South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) announces its Health Insurance Exchange (HIE) partner for 2021 is Ambetter from Peach State Health. The HIE connects patients with affordable, quality healthcare plans across communities served by SGMC, SGMC’s physician network and its affiliates in Lowndes, Berrien and Lanier counties. 

Although the current health exchange website may identify SGMC in other product networks, Pathways notified SGMC that it will not be an in network provider for its Pathways product for the calendar year 2021.  

Consumers choosing a health insurance product that is not in network could experience higher out of pocket costs when using SGMC services or physicians.  

The Open Enrollment period for 2021 is Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2020 and can be completed by visiting healthcare.gov. Coverage begins Jan. 1, 2021.  

SGMC encourages consumers to research health insurance options carefully to ensure the health insurance product they choose has in network providers in or near the communities where they seek healthcare.   

Each year, insurance companies decide what hospitals and physicians will be in their network for the upcoming calendar year. When a change occurs by an insurer, this may leave consumers without convenient in network options in their community. The result often time results in higher out of pocket expenses should the consumer choose an out of network hospital or physician for their care.  

Residents in South Georgia who are underinsured, uninsured, or looking for affordable health insurance options can access South Georgia Medical Center and its hospitals and physicians located in Lowndes, Berrien and Lanier counties by selecting one of the Ambetter plans available on the exchange.  

SGMC provides access to an extensive range of healthcare locations and services across the South Georgia region.  

For more information on the HIE and SGMC in network hospitals and providers visit sgmc.org.