The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) board met Thursday, Aug. 8, and approved changes in the 2025 State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) member rates.

2025 Member Contribution Rates

Most commercial SHBP plans will see a member contribution rate increase in 2025. These increases range from $4.98 to $9 a month for individuals and from $20.97 to $32.24 a month for families. Conversely, the Kaiser HMO plan will see rates decrease by $12.01 a month for individuals and $33.70 a month for families.

There will be no changes to plan vendors or design in 2025. All deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and related items will remain the same as in 2024.

Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will undergo multiple changes in 2025. Starting next year, SHBP will move to a level dollar subsidy across all plans. The lowest-cost plan will now be the Anthem MA Standard plan, which will cost $20 a month. Rates for other plans will also change.

The retiree open enrollment process for Medicare Advantage plans will also change. Starting in 2025, if retired members are enrolled in a SHPB Medicare Advantage plans but fail to actively select a plan choice during open enrollment, they will be automatically enrolled in the lowest-cost plan, even if it is not their current plan.

DCH will hold both in-person and virtual meetings for retirees to discuss benefits and announced changes.

2025 Open Enrollment Period

Open enrollment will begin Oct. 15, 2024, and end Nov. 8, 2024.