Georgia teachers, state employees to see modest average premium hike

State employees, teachers and other people in Georgia’s employee benefit plan will face an average increase of 2.5 percent in their health insurance premiums starting in January.

“We think that’s a very reasonable’’ average increase, considering the expected premium hikes in the general marketplace, said Commissioner Clyde Reese of the Department of Community Health on Thursday.

The rates will vary depending on health plan choices, with some members of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) actually seeing their premiums decrease in 2017, agency officials said.

The 2.5 percent average increase is for non-Medicare members. The SHBP covers more than 630,000 people — state employees, teachers, other school personnel, retirees and dependents.

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