About Us

The State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) is a division of the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). It serves as the state’s administrator of health insurance coverage for state employees, teachers, public school employees, retirees, and former employees, and covered dependents. Pursuant to 29 U.S.C § 1003(b), SHBP is a non-federal governmental self-insured plan, which is exempt from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).  

SHBP is led by Executive Director Jeff Rickman. It is composed of three units:

• Clinical, Quality and Outcomes
• Eligibility and Benefits Administration
• Third Party Administrators/Communications

DCH is one of Georgia’s four health agencies serving the state’s growing population of almost 10 million people. Frank W. Berry serves as the Commissioner of DCH. In addition, DCH is governed by a nine-person board, the Board of Community Health, appointed by the Governor. The Board meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted on the DCH website.