Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Georgia Launches Unique, Web-Based Health Insurance Options
for Georgia’s “Young Invincibles”
Tonik
designed to decrease the number of uninsured Georgians;
Approximately 78 percent of current Tonik
enrollees in other states were previously uninsured
ATLANTA, GA (November 27, 2006) – Young adults between
the ages of 19 and 34 – also known as “young invincibles”
– represent one of the largest and fastest-growing segments
of the population without health insurance. Almost 17 million
“young invincibles” are uninsured throughout the
country, including 40,000 in Georgia, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau. To help address this issue, Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Georgia (BCBSGa), the state’s largest health benefits
provider, announced today the launch of Tonik
– unique health insurance options for Georgia’s
“young invincibles,” designed to decrease the number
of Georgia’s uninsured.
“Young invincibles” typically are no longer covered
by family insurance policies and are just beginning to establish
their independence. They are also just beginning their careers
and less likely to be offered or purchase health insurance from
their employers.
“Tonik is an important product that allows this growing
demographic to purchase coverage on their own terms,”
said Monye Connolly, president, BCBSGa. “We asked ‘young
invincibles’ what they were looking for in a health plan,
and we listened. The end result is Tonik – a plan that
makes it easy to understand the concepts and terminology associated
with health insurance and provides easy access to a health insurance
product they can relate to.”
Tonik
health plans were designed with input from “young
invincibles” throughout the country in an effort to create
the most appropriate product possible in order to decrease the
numbers of uninsured and expand access to health care coverage.
This product – first introduced in 2004 – has already
been launched in California, Colorado and Nevada. Approximately
78 percent of current Tonik enrollees were previously uninsured.
BCBSGa is offering three Tonik
plans – flexible PPO products that include medical,
pharmacy, dental and vision. Prices depend on the plan and the
insured's age, medical history and where they live.
“We found through our research that this group wants head-to-toe
coverage in one easy to understand product. And with Tonik
plans beginning at less than $100 a month, we are able to
offer the type of coverage they are looking for at rates most
young invincibles can afford,” said Connolly. “By
introducing innovative new products and services like Tonik,
BCBSGa is constantly working to improve our members’ health,
enhance health care quality and address affordability for our
members.”
Applying for Tonik
is simple and quick. Individuals can visit and apply for Tonik
online at tonikhealth.com
or contact their independent agent. Applicants who apply online
are subject to review, but approval can be as short as a few
minutes.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Georgia is an independent licensee
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is an operating
subsidiary of WellPoint Inc., the largest publicly traded commercial
health benefits company in terms of membership in the United
States, and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Association which serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee
for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for
Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri
(excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New
Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York
City metropolitan counties and as Blue Cross, Blue Shield or
Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio,
Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington,
D.C.) and Wisconsin Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia can be
found on the web at bcbsga.com.
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