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Ohioans have access to many health insurance options, including plans through the federal exchange, Medicare or Medicaid, or directly from an insurance company. Read on to understand your Ohio health insurance options.
While Ohioans can sign up for insurance offered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the state doesn’t have its own marketplace. You can sign up through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace by visiting HealthCare.gov. You have to create an account to browse Ohio health plans and enroll. You’ll follow the instructions, enter your contact information, select a password, and create several security questions.
After entering your information, HealthCare.gov will automatically determine if you qualify for financial assistance programs such as Medicaid. You’ll also find out if you qualify for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) on this step. You need the full name, Social Security number, and birth date for each member of your household.
After answering some questions about your income, marital status, and who you claim as dependents on your taxes, you can review available insurance policies. The website provides a tool that lets you pick up to three plans to compare side-by-side before deciding which plan you would like to enroll in. After you’ve decided on the plan you like most, you can follow the instructions to complete your enrollment.
If you’re overwhelmed, you can use the Find Local Help tab to get a list of certified agents or insurance navigators that can help you choose a plan.
There is no difference in the processes required to enroll in individual insurance plans and family coverage. Still, your priorities may differ depending on whether you’re enrolling for a family or only yourself. Before you begin shopping for an individual or family health policy, evaluate your medical condition and the needs of your family. Also, consider what type of plan you’d like to purchase, the deductible you’re willing to pay, and what your monthly budget for insurance premiums will be.
If you’re shopping only for yourself, you can save money by choosing a lower premium and high deductible so long as you’re in good health and don’t expect to need routine medical treatments. Keep in mind that if you have a high deductible, you’ll receive no coverage for expensive medical services until that deductible is met. There are benefits and drawbacks to the type of plan that you choose.
If you’re shopping for health coverage for your entire family, you’re no longer the only person whose needs will impact the coverage you select. While you might be in perfect health, you’ll need a policy that lowers your out-of-pocket expenses if your spouse or child suffers from a chronic medical condition.
Try to balance the monthly cost of your insurance premium with its benefits. It might lower the total annual cost of your health care to purchase a more expensive plan when you consider your annual deductible and coinsurance. Consider whether an HMO plan has a network that provides all of the services you need before determining whether a PPO or POS service would suit your needs better.
The following insurance companies offer both individual and family coverage in the state of Ohio. Access to each company depends on where you reside, but all Ohioans will have access to two or more insurers.
Insurance plans fall under four tiers of coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace based on factors such as monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and coinsurance. Lower tiers provide less coverage for a lower monthly premium, while higher tiers cost more each month while offering more comprehensive coverage.
Average premiums in Ohio | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Most affordable Bronze plan | $278 | $296 | $278 | $280 | $307 |
Most affordable Silver plan | $362 | $370 | $368 | $360 | $371 |
Most affordable Gold plan | $428 | $456 | $445 | $428 | $441 |
The four tiers are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Before you choose a plan, consider more than the monthly premium and determine whether you’ll save more money by selecting a higher-tier plan.
Ohioans can receive insurance assistance through MyCare Ohio (Medicaid) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Both of these programs are managed cooperatively by the state of Ohio and the United States federal government.
MyCare Ohio is the state Medicaid program, which serves the legally impaired, those with disabilities, residents aged 65 and older, and families whose incomes are considered low or extremely low. Those receiving Medicaid are covered for preventative care, emergency room visits, hospital stays, and procedures deemed medically necessary by a doctor.
To qualify for benefits, your income must remain under a threshold that changes depending on the number of people in your household. For individuals, this would amount to $17,131 in annual income, and a family of three wouldn’t be able to earn more than $29,207 in total. You must also be disabled, caring for someone with a disability, pregnant, or caring for one or more family members under the age of 18.
The MyCare Ohio program also assists residents who require nursing care aged 18 and older. To enroll in Medicaid in the state of Ohio, you’ll need to select a managed care plan during your enrollment, and all services will be provided through the plan you choose.
Children in families that make too much money to qualify for Medicaid may still qualify for insurance benefits through the Ohio CHIP program. This program provides coverage to individuals aged 9 and younger and pregnant women. Children and mothers enrolled in the program are covered for preventive care, prenatal care, vision, dental, diagnostic testing, and emergency care.
If you qualify for Medicare, you can choose between traditional Medicare Parts A and B or a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you seek prescription coverage, you’re also able to enroll in Medicare Part D:
You may enroll in Medicare Part D regardless of whether you’re enrolled in an Advantage plan or not, which may help with your prescription drug coverage needs. If you’re unsure of whether you’ll be able to meet your Medicare deductibles and coinsurance requirement, you can shop for a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Eligibility
To qualify for Medicare, you must be at least 65 years old or have a qualifying disability. In most cases, a qualifying disability is a condition that makes you eligible for at least 24 months of payments from the Social Security Disability Insurance program or Railroad Retirement Board. You may be able to qualify sooner if you have end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Enrollment
If you start receiving your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before you turn 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare. Otherwise, you must fill out an application online or contact your local Social Security office. You can enroll in Medicare during the following periods:
Medicare Resources
For more information about Medicare and assistance applying for your benefits, you can call the Ohio Department of Insurance at (800) 686-1526. The Ohio Department of Insurance also offers assistance to those who may not afford their medical expenses.
A temporary health insurance policy provides coverage if you have a gap in coverage due to events, such as losing a job, relocating, or missing the enrollment period for Medicare or health insurance. These plans aren’t meant to cover you for long-term medical treatment but will cushion the blow from any large medical bills when you’re not covered by insurance.
Ohio allows insurance companies to provide short-term plans for no longer than a year. Policies can’t be renewed after expiration, and plans aren’t bound by the rules mandated by the ACA. A short-term insurer may deny you coverage, increase your rates due to your medical history, and refuse to cover preexisting conditions and prenatal care. You may be turned away if you’re suffering from any of the following:
The best time to apply for short-term health insurance is immediately after you find out you’re going to need it. If you don’t begin shopping for coverage right away, you might not be able to enroll in a policy before your current coverage expires. If you’ve missed enrollment for Medicare or insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it’s a good idea to enroll in a temporary policy until the next enrollment period.