Alliant Health Plans: GA Plans, Ratings & Info
Alliant Health Plans: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Local Georgia Health Insurance Partner
Welcome to a definitive resource on Alliant Health Plans, a key provider of health insurance solutions centered on the communities of Georgia. For individuals, families, and Medicare beneficiaries seeking comprehensive coverage from a plan that understands the local healthcare landscape, Alliant stands out as a dedicated, community-born option. This page provides an in-depth, factual exploration of Alliant Health Plans, covering its history, services, network, quality ratings, and regulatory standing. Our goal is to answer your most pressing questions with clear, accurate, and detailed information.
Basic Company Overview: What is Alliant Health Plans?
Alliant Health Plans is a Georgia-based health insurance company that provides a range of health coverage options primarily to individuals, families, and Medicare-eligible residents within its designated service areas. Unlike large, national insurance carriers, Alliant’s operational model is deeply rooted in the local communities it serves. It was established by a network of local physicians and a community-based hospital system with the foundational mission of improving access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for their neighbors.
This hyper-local focus is Alliant’s core differentiator. The company’s strategies, provider networks, and member services are designed with a specific understanding of the healthcare challenges and resources available in North Georgia and its surrounding regions. Alliant operates as a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), offering plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA/Obamacare) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Their commitment is not just to processing claims but to fostering a healthier community through direct engagement, strong provider relationships, and member-centric support systems.
Alliant's Core Mission and Philosophy
The guiding philosophy of Alliant Health Plans is built upon three pillars: access, quality, and affordability.
Access: Alliant strives to break down barriers to care by building robust provider networks that are geographically convenient for its members. This means ensuring that members can find primary care physicians, specialists, and hospital services without traveling excessive distances.
Quality: The plan places a significant emphasis on the quality of care delivered. This is achieved through close collaboration with network providers to promote evidence-based medical practices and is externally validated through rigorous accreditation processes like those from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Affordability: Understanding the financial pressures on families and individuals, Alliant designs its plans to offer competitive premiums and manageable out-of-pocket costs. By working efficiently and maintaining a local focus, the company aims to deliver sustainable value to its members.
Company History: The Origins of Alliant Health Plans
Alliant Health Plans was not born in a corporate boardroom but from a genuine community need. Its story begins in Dalton, Georgia, a city known as the “Carpet Capital of the World,” where local healthcare leaders identified a gap in the health insurance market. They envisioned a health plan that was created by local healthcare providers for local residents—a plan that would prioritize patient well-being over shareholder returns.
Founding by Hamilton Health Care System
The driving force behind the establishment of Alliant Health Plans was Hamilton Health Care System, a comprehensive, not-for-profit health system that has served the communities of Northwest Georgia for over a century. In the late 1990s, physicians and leaders at Hamilton recognized that a locally managed health plan could foster better coordination of care, improve health outcomes, and help control rising healthcare costs in a way that out-of-state insurers could not.
This led to the creation of Alliant Health Plans. Its inception was a direct response to the need for a more collaborative relationship between the insurer and the care provider. By aligning the goals of the health plan with the goals of the doctors and hospitals delivering the care, Alliant was designed to create a more seamless and efficient healthcare experience for the member. This provider-led foundation remains a cornerstone of its identity and operational approach today.
A Focus on Sustainable, Community-Centered Growth
From its early days, Alliant’s growth has been deliberate and strategic. Rather than pursuing rapid, nationwide expansion, the company has focused on methodically building its presence within Georgia. This approach has allowed Alliant to maintain its high-touch, community-based service model as it expands. Every new county added to its service area is supported by carefully developed provider relationships and a deep understanding of that specific community’s healthcare needs. This historical commitment to sustainable, local growth ensures that as the company grows, its members continue to feel like they are part of a community-focused plan, not just a number in a large database.
Major Acquisitions, Expansions: Extending Alliant's Reach Across Georgia
Alliant Health Plans’ growth is best understood through its strategic expansions in service offerings and geographical coverage, rather than through major corporate acquisitions of other insurers. These expansions have been pivotal in making its community-based model of healthcare accessible to a wider population within Georgia.
Expansion into the Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA)
A landmark development in Alliant’s journey was its decision to become a Qualified Health Plan issuer on the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or “Obamacare” exchange. This was a significant expansion of its services beyond its initial offerings.
What This Means for Georgians: By participating in the Marketplace, Alliant Health Plans provides an essential option for individuals and families who do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. This includes the self-employed, gig economy workers, small business employees, and those in-between jobs.
Providing Subsidized Coverage: A key aspect of this expansion is that Alliant’s Marketplace plans are eligible for federal subsidies (Advance Premium Tax Credits) and Cost-Sharing Reductions for those who qualify based on their income. This makes comprehensive health coverage financially attainable for thousands of Georgia residents who might otherwise be uninsured. Alliant’s presence on the exchange increases competition and choice, which can help moderate premium costs in the counties it serves.
Impact on the Company: This strategic move positioned Alliant as a central player in the individual insurance market in its service area. It required the development of new expertise in navigating federal regulations, managing a diverse risk pool, and providing consumer-friendly tools to help people shop for and understand their coverage.
Geographic Service Area Expansion
Over the years, Alliant has systematically expanded its footprint across North and Middle Georgia. This is not a simple redrawing of a map; each county expansion involves a complex process of network development.
The Process of Expansion: Before offering plans in a new county, Alliant must build a comprehensive network of local providers. This involves contracting with primary care physicians, a wide array of specialists (such as cardiologists, dermatologists, and oncologists), hospitals, urgent care centers, diagnostic labs, and pharmacies in that area. This ensures that new members have access to a full continuum of care close to home.
Current Reach: This careful expansion has resulted in Alliant serving a multi-county region, bringing its member-focused approach to both urban, suburban, and rural communities that may have been underserved by other carriers. The precise list of counties can vary by plan type (Marketplace vs. Medicare Advantage) and is updated periodically based on regulatory approvals and network adequacy.
Expansion of Medicare Advantage Plan Offerings
Recognizing the growing needs of Georgia’s senior population, Alliant has also focused on expanding its Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan portfolio.
From HMO to PPO Options: Initially, Alliant may have focused on Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, which emphasize in-network care coordination. The expansion to include Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans gave Medicare beneficiaries more flexibility. PPO plans allow members to see out-of-network providers, albeit typically at a higher cost-sharing level, offering a broader choice for those who may travel or have existing relationships with specialists outside the core network.
Inclusion of Part D and Supplemental Benefits: Alliant’s Medicare Advantage plans are typically MA-PD plans, meaning they combine Original Medicare benefits (Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical services) with prescription drug coverage (Part D) into a single, comprehensive plan. Furthermore, Alliant has expanded its offerings to include valuable supplemental benefits not covered by Original Medicare. These often include coverage for dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs (like SilverSneakers), and transportation to medical appointments, enhancing the overall value and health support provided to seniors.
Key Metrics: A Factual Look at Alliant Health Plans' Operations
To fully understand Alliant Health Plans, it is essential to examine the key metrics that define its size, scope, financial health, and quality. These figures provide a quantifiable snapshot of the company’s impact and performance.
Number of Members/Enrollees
Alliant Health Plans provides coverage to a significant and growing number of Georgians. While exact, real-time figures fluctuate, the company serves tens of thousands of members across its individual and Medicare Advantage plans. This member base is concentrated in its North and Middle Georgia service areas, reflecting its role as a strong regional health plan. The growth in enrollment, particularly since its entry into the ACA Marketplace, underscores the demand for its community-focused model.
Annual Revenue and Financial Stability
As a private entity, Alliant Health Plans does not publicly disclose detailed annual revenue figures in the same way a publicly traded corporation would. However, its financial health can be understood through its continued stability, growth, and ability to meet its obligations to members and providers. The revenue of a health insurance company is primarily generated from the premiums paid by members and, in the case of government-sponsored plans, payments from federal programs like Medicare and the ACA Marketplace.
This revenue is used for three primary purposes:
Paying Medical Claims: The vast majority of revenue is paid out to doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers for the services they deliver to Alliant members. A key measure of an insurer’s efficiency is its Medical Loss Ratio (MLR), which shows the percentage of premium dollars spent on healthcare services.
Administrative Costs: This includes expenses for operations, member support, technology, marketing, and regulatory compliance.
Reinvestment and Reserves: Financially sound insurers like Alliant maintain capital reserves to ensure they can pay claims even in unforeseen circumstances (like a pandemic). Profits are often reinvested back into the company to improve services, technology, and member benefits.
Alliant’s sustained operation and expansion over several years points to a stable financial foundation and prudent fiscal management.
Alliant Health Plans Coverage States and Service Area
Alliant Health Plans is licensed and operates exclusively within the state of Georgia. It is not a national carrier and does not offer plans in other states. Its service area is a specific list of counties within Georgia, which may differ slightly between its Marketplace and Medicare Advantage products.
Prospective members should always use the official Alliant Health Plans website and enter their zip code to confirm if plans are available in their specific county. As of recent operational periods, the service area has been concentrated in, but not limited to, the following regions:
Northwest Georgia: Including counties like Whitfield (where Dalton is located), Murray, Catoosa, and Walker.
Greater Atlanta Metro and Surrounding Areas: Expansion has brought Alliant into more populous counties in and around the metro Atlanta region.
Middle Georgia: Further expansion has extended its reach into central parts of the state.
This targeted, county-by-county approach ensures that wherever Alliant offers a plan, it has established an adequate network of healthcare providers to serve its members effectively.
Alliant Health Plans NCQA Rating
One of the most important objective measures of a health plan’s quality is its accreditation and rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates health plans on their clinical performance and patient satisfaction.
What NCQA Accreditation Means: Earning NCQA Accreditation is a rigorous process. The NCQA assesses health plans on dozens of standards, including:
Quality of Care: How well the plan’s members receive preventive care like cancer screenings, immunizations, and chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).
Member Satisfaction: How members rate their plan, their doctors, and their ability to get care when they need it.
Health Plan Operations: The efficiency and transparency of the plan’s member services and processes.
Alliant Health Plans has consistently sought and maintained NCQA Accreditation for its plan offerings. For its Commercial (Marketplace) and Medicare plans, Alliant has achieved commendable ratings. These ratings, which are publicly available on the NCQA website, place Alliant among health plans that demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and member-centric care. Prospective members should view a strong NCQA rating as a trustworthy, third-party validation of the plan’s performance.
Alliant Health Plans Products & Services: Your Coverage Options Explained
Alliant Health Plans offers a focused portfolio of health insurance products designed to meet the needs of distinct populations within its Georgia service area. The primary offerings are Individual & Family Plans sold on the ACA Marketplace and Medicare Advantage plans for seniors.
Individual & Family Health Plans (ACA Marketplace)
For Georgians who need to purchase their own health insurance, Alliant offers a suite of plans on the official Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov). These plans are compliant with all provisions of the Affordable Care Act, meaning they cover essential health benefits and cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
Plan Types: HMO and PPO
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Alliant’s HMO plans typically offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They operate using a defined network of providers. Members are usually required to select a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who coordinates their care and must receive referrals to see most specialists. Care received from out-of-network providers is generally not covered, except in emergencies. This model is ideal for individuals and families who value cost predictability and coordinated care.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Alliant may also offer PPO plans that provide more flexibility. Members are not required to have a PCP or get referrals to see specialists. They can see any provider they choose, but their costs will be significantly lower if they stay within the plan’s “preferred” network of providers. Seeing an out-of-network provider is an option but will result in higher deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. This model is suited for those who want more choice and are willing to pay more for that flexibility.
Metal Tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold Alliant’s Marketplace plans are categorized into metal tiers, which indicate how you and the plan share costs—it does not reflect the quality of care.
Bronze Plans: These plans have the lowest monthly premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays) when you receive care. They are a good option for healthy individuals who want protection against major medical events.
Silver Plans: These plans offer a balance of moderate monthly premiums and moderate out-of-pocket costs. Crucially, Silver plans are the only tier eligible for Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs), a federal subsidy that lowers your deductible, copayments, and coinsurance if your income qualifies. This can make Silver plans the best value for many people.
Gold Plans: These plans have higher monthly premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs. They are a good choice for individuals or families who expect to use medical services more frequently and want more predictable costs when they do.
Alliant Health Plans Medicare Advantage (Part C)
For individuals who are eligible for Medicare (typically those 65 or older, or younger individuals with certain disabilities), Alliant offers Medicare Advantage plans. These plans are an alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and are administered by private insurers like Alliant that are approved by Medicare.
What is a Medicare Advantage Plan? These plans, also known as Part C, bundle all the benefits of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) into a single plan. Most Alliant Medicare Advantage plans are MA-PD plans, which means they also include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Key Features of Alliant Medicare Advantage Plans:
Comprehensive Coverage: They provide all the services covered by Original Medicare.
Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): Integrated drug coverage simplifies your healthcare by combining medical and pharmacy benefits into one plan with one monthly premium (which is often $0 for many MA plans) and one ID card.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Unlike Original Medicare, every Medicare Advantage plan has an annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. Once you reach this limit, the plan pays 100% of your covered medical costs for the rest of the year, providing a crucial financial safety net.
Supplemental “Extra” Benefits: This is a major attraction of Alliant’s MA plans. They often include valuable benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as:
Dental: Coverage for routine exams, cleanings, and sometimes more comprehensive services like fillings or dentures.
Vision: Coverage for eye exams and allowances for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Hearing: Coverage for hearing tests and allowances for hearing aids.
Fitness Programs: Membership in programs like SilverSneakers, providing free access to thousands of gyms and fitness centers.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance: A quarterly allowance to purchase common health and wellness products like vitamins, pain relievers, and first-aid supplies.
Transportation: Non-emergency medical transportation to and from doctor’s appointments.
Provider Network Information: Accessing Care with Alliant
The strength of a local plan like Alliant lies in its provider network. Alliant has cultivated a robust network of trusted doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities across its service area.
Key Hospital and System Partners: The network is anchored by major regional health systems, including its founding partner, Hamilton Health Care System in Dalton, and other respected systems like AdventHealth and numerous independent community hospitals.
A Comprehensive Network of Professionals: Beyond hospitals, the network includes a wide range of providers:
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)
Specialists (Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, etc.)
Urgent Care Centers
Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services
Mental and Behavioral Health Providers
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Suppliers
Pharmacies
Digital Tools: Managing Your Health Coverage Online
Alliant Health Plans empowers its members with a suite of digital tools designed to make managing their healthcare simpler and more transparent.
Online Member Portal: This is the central hub for Alliant members. After a secure login, members can typically perform a variety of essential functions:
View plan benefits and coverage details.
Check the status of a claim.
Find in-network providers with the provider search tool.
View and print a temporary ID card.
Track deductibles and out-of-pocket spending.
Pay monthly premiums securely online.
Online Provider Search Directory: This is a critical tool for both current and prospective members. The searchable directory allows users to find in-network doctors, hospitals, and specialists by name, specialty, or location. It helps ensure that members can easily find the care they need from providers who participate in their plan, maximizing their benefits and minimizing their costs.
Market Sectors and Project Expertise
Alliant Health Plans has developed deep expertise in specific segments of the health insurance market, allowing it to serve its chosen populations with a high degree of proficiency.
Expertise in the Individual Health Insurance Market (ACA)
Alliant has become a seasoned expert in the complex and highly regulated Individual Market under the ACA. This expertise includes:
Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the intricate federal and state regulations that govern Marketplace plans, including rules on benefit design, pricing, and reporting.
Consumer-Facing Sales and Education: Developing clear messaging and tools to help individuals, many of whom have never purchased insurance before, understand their options, calculate potential subsidies, and enroll in the best plan for their needs.
Risk Pool Management: Effectively managing the health needs and costs of a diverse population of individual members to ensure plan stability and affordability.
Expertise in the Medicare Advantage Market
Serving the Medicare-eligible population requires a unique skill set that Alliant has honed over years of operation.
Senior-Centric Plan Design: Understanding the specific health needs of seniors and designing plans that address them. This includes integrating robust prescription drug coverage and adding supplemental benefits like dental, vision, and hearing that are highly valued by this demographic.
CMS Compliance and Quality: Adhering to the strict marketing, sales, and operational guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This also involves a relentless focus on quality improvement to achieve high CMS Star Ratings, which directly impact member satisfaction and the plan’s financial performance.
Provider Collaboration for Chronic Care Management: Working closely with network providers to manage the chronic conditions (like diabetes, heart failure, and COPD) that are common among seniors, leading to better health outcomes and lower costs.
Expertise in Rural and Community Healthcare
Operating outside of a major metropolitan hub has given Alliant unique expertise in serving rural and semi-urban communities. This involves:
Building and Maintaining Rural Networks: Overcoming the challenge of provider shortages in some rural areas by building strong, lasting relationships with local doctors and community hospitals.
Addressing Health Disparities: Understanding the unique health challenges, such as transportation barriers and access to specialty care, faced by residents in less-populated areas, and designing benefits (like transportation services or telehealth) to help mitigate them.
Partnerships: Collaborating for a Healthier Georgia
Alliant’s success is not achieved in isolation. It is built on a foundation of strong, strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.
Hamilton Health Care System: This is Alliant’s most foundational partnership. As the plan’s founder, Hamilton Health Care System provides the clinical backbone for Alliant’s network in its home region. This provider-payer alignment allows for streamlined care coordination, data sharing (in a secure and compliant manner), and a shared commitment to the health of the community.
Network Hospitals and Provider Groups: Beyond Hamilton, Alliant partners with a wide array of other hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, and independent physician practices across its Georgia service area. These partnerships are vital for ensuring members have broad access to high-quality care wherever they live.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs): To manage its prescription drug benefits for both Marketplace and Medicare Advantage plans, Alliant partners with a PBM. This partner negotiates drug prices with manufacturers, creates the drug formulary (the list of covered drugs), and manages the pharmacy network, helping to control costs and ensure member access to necessary medications.
Federal and State Government Agencies: Alliant maintains a critical partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer its Medicare Advantage and ACA Marketplace plans. This involves constant communication, reporting, and adherence to all federal guidelines. It also works closely with the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance to ensure full compliance with state laws and regulations.
Community Organizations: Alliant often engages with local community organizations, senior centers, and non-profits to provide health education and outreach, further cementing its role as a true community partner.
Awards and Recognitions
A health plan’s quality is affirmed through objective, third-party awards and recognitions. Alliant Health Plans’ commitment to excellence is reflected in the ratings and accreditations it has earned.
NCQA Accreditation: As mentioned previously, receiving and maintaining accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a significant recognition of a health plan’s quality. It signals to consumers that the plan has undergone a thorough review of its processes and has met demanding standards for clinical quality and member satisfaction. Alliant proudly displays its NCQA status as a testament to its commitment.
CMS Star Ratings: For its Medicare Advantage plans, the most important recognition is the annual Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS rates plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the highest. These ratings are based on dozens of different measures in several categories, including:
Staying Healthy: Screenings, tests, and vaccines.
Managing Chronic (Long-Term) Conditions.
Member Experience with Health Plan.
Member Complaints and Changes in the Health Plan’s Performance.
Health Plan Customer Service.
Drug Plan Customer Service and Drug Pricing.
Alliant Health Plans strives for high Star Ratings, as they are a direct reflection of member health outcomes and satisfaction. A rating of 4 stars or higher is considered excellent and is a key indicator for seniors when choosing a plan.
Licensing & Regulatory Information
Alliant Health Plans operates as a fully licensed and regulated entity, adhering to strict state and federal oversight. This ensures the company is financially solvent and operates in a fair and transparent manner for the protection of its members.
State Licensing: Alliant Health Plans is a Georgia-domiciled health insurer. It is licensed and regulated by the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI). This state agency is responsible for overseeing all insurance operations within Georgia, including approving plans and rates, monitoring financial solvency, and handling consumer complaints.
NAIC Code: Like all U.S. insurers, Alliant Health Plans is assigned a unique code by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). This code is used by regulators to track the company for financial and compliance purposes. The NAIC Code for Alliant Health Plans, Inc. is 95744.
CMS Star Rating for Medicare Plans: As detailed above, Alliant’s Medicare Advantage plans are rated annually by CMS. These ratings are publicly available on the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov. Prospective members are strongly encouraged to check the most current Star Ratings during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period to assess the plan’s most recent performance on quality and customer service metrics.
State-Specific Insurance ID Numbers: The primary regulatory identifier at the state level is its license to operate, granted by the Georgia OCI. All company filings, rate requests, and compliance documents are managed under its official name, Alliant Health Plans, Inc., within the Georgia regulatory framework.
By providing this detailed, factual information, we hope to have answered your questions about Alliant Health Plans. From its community-based origins to its robust product offerings and strong quality ratings, Alliant represents a unique and valuable choice for health coverage in Georgia.
Profile Structure
Name: Alliant Health Plans
Industry: Health Insurance
Founded: Late 1990s
HQ: 201 W. Waught St., Dalton, GA 30720, USA
Employees: In the hundreds
Coverage: Specific counties within the state of Georgia
Plan Types: Individual & Family (ACA Marketplace) HMO/PPO plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C) HMO/PPO plans with Prescription Drug Coverage (MA-PD)
Key Differentiator: A local, community-focused health plan founded by a provider system (Hamilton Health Care System) to serve the specific needs of Georgia residents.
Website: alliantplans.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/allianthealthplans