Affordable Ohio Health Insurance Plans

Medicaid in Ohio. To expand or not to expand. That is the question. Governor John Kasich and the Health Policy Institute of Ohio believe the economic benefits derived from expansion far outweigh the risk of federal government funding drying up in the future. By enlarging the number of Medicaid recipients, it’s anticipated that more than 250,000 residents of the state that make about $15,000 per year (or less) would qualify. Otherwise, these individuals and families would have to try to pay their healthcare benefits themselves, which may be an impossible task. And if they are able to purchase a policy, although preventative benefits would be fully covered, high deductibles would result in potential large out-of-pocket expenses. Also, more than 40,000 veterans (and family members) would be positively impacted, and more dollars could be utilized for suicide issues, which often plague veterans. Mental healthcare, drug-testing and drug-addiction services are also benefits that would aid many low-income individuals and families. And often, trips to physicians and specialists are quite often. Senate Bill 17 was recently submitted by Democratic Senator Shirley Smith (Cleveland) that echos Governor Kasich‘s ideas that passage will create many new jobs along with increasing revenue in the Buckeye state. The Governor has mentioned in past interviews that he considers this legislation...

Improved electronic healthcare systems in Ohio will help physicians more effectively treat their patients and medical facilities will be able to provide medical records quicker and more accurately. Thanks to half a billion dollars (Yes, that’s right!) of funding, courtesy of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), doctors, hospitals and many other facilities in the state are reaping these benefits. Funding from Medicare (up to $44,000) and Medicaid (up to $64,000) is available to hospitals and professional workers that show effective use of  EHR technology. It is offered in 43 states and has already been distributed to more than 12,000 persons and/or businesses here in Ohio. Only five other states receive more funding and there is more money available between now and the end of 2014. To start an efficient electronic health system in a place of business can often cost between $10,000 and $90,000, depending on the volume of information being processed and how efficiently and quickly the setup process will be. Currently, it is not a requirement for a business to have their medical records recorded electronically. However, after 2014, their reimbursement from Medicare may reduce if electronic records are not in place. These systems are sold by many companies in the US. However, it’s important that the hardware and software is compatible with other devices and has...

Kaiser Permanente health care is both affordable and popular in Ohio. Plans are flexible to meet individual and family needs and participating doctors and hospitals provide superior treatment. However, policies are limited to coverage in the nine counties of Northeast Ohio. Ranked as one of the best 100 plans in the state, it’s a highly respected resource in the Canton and Akron areas. Kaiser is also recognized nationally for their Medicare plan options. Policy Choices With more than 100,000 policyholders, it’s not a “small company. There are four HMO policy options including a  qualified high-deductible (HSA) plan. The four policies are part of the “Signature” portfolio. The HSA policy has a $5,000 deductible while the traditional comprehensive contracts offer $3,000, $2,000 and $1,500 choices. Additional HSA Ohio rate information from other carriers is also available.  Conversion plans are also offered for employees that will no longer have their coverage at work. However, the benefits and cost will not be the same as your group policy. Copays on the comprehensive plans are either $35 or $25 for visits to your primary physician. Specialist visits are $10 higher. As mandated by The Affordable Care Act legislation, all preventive services do not have to meet a deductible or copay. This includes annual physicals for both males and females, child well-visits and many other...

Essential health benefits will be required on Ohio health insurance plans in 2014. The Affordable Care Act specifically mandates coverage that must be included on single and family policies. Some of the categories of these benefits include: preventive and wellness services, pediatric treatment, prescriptions, hospitalization, maternity, and mental health/substance abuse. A “benchmark” plan is chosen to act as a starting point or “shell” of what all available Exchange policies should look like. Ohio’s benchmark choice was an Anthem BCBS PPO contract (Blue Six Blue Access). This plan contains many benefits that you probably already have on your individual or group contract. Some of these include primary care and specialist visits, emergency room services, prescriptions and many other familiar coverages. However, some of the mandated (required) benefits will be quite new for many consumers. Some of these newer plan additions include non-emergency coverage outside of the US, annual eye exam, prenatal and postnatal care, all maternity delivery expenses, mental health inpatient and outpatient services, substance abuse disorder and non-preferred drugs. Complete details can be found here. Yes…all 26 pages. Of course, since there are so many new benefits to be included on these policies, someone has to pay for it. And it’s YOU! Industry experts are predicting rate increases  as much...

Did 2012 bring you good health? Whether you had an incredibly healthy year, or one filled with unexpected conditions and medications, everybody wants 2013 to be their healthiest year ever. So here’s our 10 suggestions designed to help you enjoy 2013, your healthiest year ever! And it might help you reduce your medical insurance premiums in Ohio. Eat blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. They taste great and they have a lot of essential vitamins and nutrients. Of course when you have a craving for a Kit-Kat, Twix or some other incredibly addicting candy bar, it’s not easy to reach for the berries. But even if you substitute these berries just half of the time, you’ll feel much better. Walk. I know. It’s boring. In fact, when I walk, I think about all of the other things I could be doing instead. And there are a lot  more interesting, less time-consuming tasks I come up with. Like cleaning the garage or emptying the dishwasher. Or going to the dentist. Wait. Hold on. Maybe walking isn’t as bad as I thought. Play A Sport! Play a sport. I play tennis. Not as much as I used to since I’m now in my 50s. Ouch. That hurt to say that. But I have been playing since junior high school, including local tournaments in the Dayton area. I also enjoy golf. Well, not really. I’m awful. In college at Miami U, I was selected as one of the “worst golfers on campus.” Sadly, I...

Ohio HSA accounts in 2013 will continue to be one of the most affordable options for securing affordable medical coverage. Single and family policies can be purchased from almost every large insurance company in the state. We  make it easy for you so you can apply directly through our website. The IRS has also changed some of its contribution and deductible limits for Health Savings Accounts contracts. In 2013, the minimum deductible allowed for an individual contract is $1.250. This is $50 higher than in 2012. An HSA with more than one person included (considered a “family”) is now $2,500, which is a $100 increase from last year’s limit. Keep in mind that these are “minimum” deductible amounts, and typically, you will benefit more when you select a higher deductible. However, you may not be able to change deductibles if you can’t qualify medically. Why You Should Consider A Higher Deductible For example, while a $2,500 family deductible would mean less potential out-of-pocket cost for a serious hospital claim, you are likely to lose money in the process. Here’s how: Almost every time, the extra cost associated with a $2,500 deductible plan is substantially higher than a $6,000 or $7.000 deductible. That is, you may pay between $2,000 and $3,500 more per year for a benefit you hardly ever use. Examining this over a period of five years, you pay $10,000 (and often more) in...

Cheap temporary medical coverage in Ohio from Humana will cover yourself and your dependents. Short-term health insurance rates are always very low, and these types of policies can be used if you need to get coverage quickly or only need benefits for a few months (or perhaps longer). In many situations, you can keep your policy for as long  as 12 months. You may also buy a policy for one month, although it will have to be renewed if you need additional benefits. Humana’s plan covers both accidental and illness claims and is very easy to apply for. Just like any policy on our website, after you view the quote, you can choose to “apply” online for coverage by answering some simple questions. If there are no significant health issues, you may be approved immediately. Otherwise, usually within a day or two, short-term coverage will go into effect. An ID card and policy specimen is typically sent within 7-14 days, although you have access to the policy number immediately after approval. NOTE: A temporary policy is not designed to replace a long-term Marketplace plan, especially since they do not contain many of the mandated “Essential Health Benefits” that are required under the healthcare legislation that was passed in 2010. However, it will provide stopgap coverage and give you ample time to either enroll in another compliant policy or obtain group benefits through an employer....

Paul Ryan, the Ohio Health Insurance Exchange and Miami University. What could they possibly have in common and why am I writing about it? I have to admit…the title is a bit odd, but I know a little bit about all three. Of course, Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney’s running mate and nominee for Vice President of the US. And he also just happens to be a 1992 Miami University graduate with degrees in economics and political science. Long-time economics professor Richard Hart was one of his mentors while there. As a 1980 graduate of Miami, I also was a business major although I don’t remember Professor Hart. But I did take many of the same classes as Ryan, and perhaps was taught by a few of the same professors. And I assume we took classes in many of the same buildings. But I have a feeling that he spent more time at the library than I did. I am certain that Representative Ryan and I have crossed many of the same paths while at Oxford. Of course the “Bagel & Deli” shop is where Ryan stopped to eat on August 15th. I remember the place well, having ordered there about five times per week during my Miami stay. Delivery is a great feature about college eateries. Although I was not in a fraternity  and never drove the “Wienermobile”  as Paul did ( while he worked summers for Oscar Mayer), the memories we both share of Mother Miami are still quite fresh. The Exchange? By now, you may be...