When you think of Ohio individual health insurance, Anthem Blue Cross is probably the first health insurance company that comes up. Granted, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Medical Mutual are big companies, but Anthem is Ohio’s flagship health insurance provider.

Like many companies, Anthem considers many factors when determining rates. Some of the factors include height/weight, current medications, medical history, smoking status, and of course, your age. County of residence and/or zip code will also affect the rate.

We proudly represent Anthem and offer their lowest available rates. Since rates are mandated by the Department Of Insurance, no broker or Agency can offer a better price. However, since we represent all major companies and not just one company, we”ll give you a balanced and unbiased comparison of your best options.

In most cases, Anthem’s individual rates tend to be high in the Northern portion of the state. The Columbus, Springfield,  Dayton and Cincinnati areas often feature Anthem’s most competitive rates. Typically, their main competition for HSA and comprehensive plans comes from Medical Mutual and UnitedHealthcare. Both of those carriers are worth considering, especially if you live in Hamilton County or any part of Southwestern Ohio.

Occasionally, Anthem, like most Ohio health insurance companies, will check your medical history with the Medical Information Bureau (MIB). The MIB is a membership corporation owned by member life insurance companies in the United States and Canada. It maintains a database for members to exchange confidential information of underwriting significance.

You are entitled to request a free copy of your report once per year. Simply call the MIB at  (866) 692-6901 .

To view, compare, and apply for high quality Ohio health insurance plans, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page. Your information remains secure and is never given or sold to any other broker or company.

Cinergy Health doesn”t seem to do as much advertising these days. No, they don’t pitch OxiClean or Mighty Putty, but Cinergy does heavily market their medical plans.

Are they worth it? In most cases…No! In fact, unless you thoroughly read the fine print of your policy, you may be in for a jolt!

Available Cinergy Plans

Two types of plans are available. “Cinergy Health Signature” is their discount health plan and “Cinergy Health Preferred” is their insurance plan. Both plans offer far less coverage than a conventional Ohio health insurance policy from a major insurer…such as Blue Cross, Aetna or UnitedHealthCare.

“Cinergy Health Signature” is NOT an health insurance policy. It may help you reduce some of your healthcare costs, but not necessarily a significant amount. Coverage benefits are very vague and the premium for a single person is almost $1000 per year. And, the plans are actually provided by Patriot Health Florida, who requires you to PAY FOR ALL HEALTHCARE SERVICES in advance. Later, you may receive a discount on some of those expenses.

“Cinergy Health Preferred 500” is considered an insurance plan, but coverages are limited and descriptions of these coverages are fairly vague on their website. For example, this plan only covers ONE emergency room visit per year. Only ONE preventative visit per year is allowed. Daily hospital confinement charges are also limited to $500 per day and 30 days per year.

The Cost

If you can qualify for an Ohio Health Insurance Plan from a major carrier, then don’t waste your time with this carrier. If you are uninsurable, then you may want to consider a plan…but read the policy in its entirety. Cinergy will only consider refund requests in writing and will not refund the application fee.

Affordable Ohio health insurance is available. To instantly view and compare high quality Ohio health plans, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page. You can get comprehensive coverage without breaking the bank.

UPDATE April 2011- I don””t see as much advertising from Cinergy three years after I wrote the original article. Their “Limited Health Benefit” plan might be worth considering if you are uninsurable. But keep in mind that the plan is NOT a major medical insurance plan and is not to be used to replace a catastrophic policy.

Cinergy Ohio health insurance should not be used to replace major medical or catastrophic health insurance policies. View affordable alternative Ohio plans.

Columbus Ohio health insurance plans are available from all of Ohio”s major health insurers. And Columbus rates are among the lowest rates in Ohio, especially compared to the Northern portion of the state.

Most Ohio health insurance companies base their rates on many factors. Of course, the applicant’s health is the most important factor. But in addition, to health and age, the zip code can weigh heavily in ultimately determining the rate.

Most of Columbus is located in Franklin County, which is generally one of the lowest-cost counties in Ohio for health insurance. Even the surrounding counties, such as Delaware, Union, Madison and Licking, all have very favorable rates. Reasons for these low rates generally include lower hospital charges, lower doctor’s visit charges, and in some cases, lower malpractice premiums for medical professionals.

Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

As an example, comparing rates for a typical comprehensive health insurance plan for a 45-year old husband and wife, we find the following monthly rates:

Franklin County

$263-UnitedHealthCare

$293-Aetna

$328-Medical Mutual

$363-Anthem

Warren County

$293-Aetna

$295-UnitedHealthCare

$346-Medical Mutual

$364-Anthem

Hamilton County

$293-Aetna

$328-UnitedHealthCare

$346-Medical Mutual

$364-Anthem

Cuyahoga County

$328-UnitedHealthCare

$353-Aetna

$378-Medical Mutual

$423-Anthem

The four plans considered in this comparison were UnitedHealthCare’s “Copay Select”, Aetna’s “PPO 2500”, Medical Mutual’s “Super MedOne Standard” and Anthem’s “Blue Access Plan 2.” Coverages vary between policies and Network negotiated pricing and doctor/hospital networks are different. Also…Anthem’s individual health insurance policy has higher prescription coverage than the other three mentioned carriers.

To instantly view, compare or apply for high quality plans, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

UPDATE: April 2011. Columbus policies and rates have changed since this original blog entry was written in 2008. Certain plans aren”t available any more (Anthem Plan 2) and rates have changed.  A more current article is available on the website here.

Who needs Ohio short term health insurance? Do you? Well…if you are a recent high school or college graduate that is no longer covered under a parent”s policy, then this type of policy may be your best option. Also, if you are employed part-time or temporarily, between jobs, laid off, on strike, or waiting for your permanent insurance to begin, your need is probably short term.

Ohio Short Term Policy Features

* Coverage is designed to be effective for a short period of time…usually between 1 and 12 months. Once  the policy ends, you may be forced to “re-qualify” for additional coverage.

* Rates are very low. In most cases, monthly rates will be 25%-65% less than a conventional plan.

* Major medical claims, unexpected illnesses and accidents are generally covered. With some companies, a rider can be added to include office visits and prescriptions.

* The underwriting process is quick…In most cases, a policy is issued within 24 hours. Sometimes, a policy is approved within an hour.

* Billing options are flexible…ranging from monthly to annual payments.

UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Celtic offer the most competitive short-term Ohio health insurance plans. Medical Mutual and Anthem also offer this type of coverage although throughout most parts of the state, their rates are higher for temporary plans.

We realize that many plans appear similar and coverages can be very confusing. Please don”t hesitate to call us for help at (888) 513 6446. You can also apply for coverage directly online by clicking on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page. Even after you apply online, we”re still available to assist you.

UnitedHealthcare’s  most comprehensive Ohio copay policy is the “Copay Select” contract. It features a  $35 copay on covered office visits with an optional $25 copay. There is no maximum limit on the number of allowable visits. UnitedHealthcare Ohio health insurance rates are generally extremely competitive when compared to the other large insurance carriers.

Prescriptions are included, and like most companies, feature a “Tier” system. For example, “Tier 1″ drugs have a $15 copay while other drugs will have a higher out-of-pocket expense.

Child and adult preventative care benefits are provided at 100% coverage with no deductible or waiting period. Some of the covered benefits include annual physicals, wellness checks, mammograms and Pap tests.

Overall, UnitedHealthCare’s  “Copay Select”  Plan  is one of the most popular plans in the state. Rates are extremely competitive, especially in the Dayton and Columbus areas. A wide range of major medical deductibles is available, ranging from $500 to $10,000. The $7,500 and $5,000 deductibles are commonly used to lower premiums.

Aetna”s PPO 2500 plan is similar, but is typically more expensive in most parts of the state. Medical Mutual”s  SuperMedOne policy is also very competitively priced in the Ohio Health Insurance market. Coverages are comparable and like UnitedHealthcare, Medical Mutual has a large network of providers.

To easily view, compare and apply for an Ohio medical insurance plan, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page. We will not share your personal information.