Affordable Ohio Health Insurance Plans

By a narrow vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court ruled this morning that the federal government can impose a tax on persons that refuse to purchase health insurance. Thus, health care reform (Obamacare) will proceed and move forward and much of the implementation will take place starting in 2014. But what about individuals and families in Ohio? How will we be impacted? We’ll try to answer some of those questions. Does this change the way health insurance is purchased here in Ohio? Currently, there is no “Exchange” set up here and there is a chance one may never be set up. However, Ohio can choose to allow the federal government to set it up. The current administration would like to see “Exchanges” in 2014 dictate how coverage is purchased. But the clunky nature of the Exchanges along with their unpopularity have many legislatures and citizens concerned. Additional research information is found here, with additional details on “benchmark plans,” “essential health benefits” and other ACA Legislation features. So for now, Ohioquotes.com will continue to offer the lowest available rates from all of the top companies. Quotes are free and so is the professional service You can apply online or we’ll fax/email an application.  If Exchanges become the law of the land, we will continue to help you find affordable coverage through these government-run websites, which will also be referred to...

Are you waiting for your Ohio Medicare benefits to begin? Perhaps you know which policy you’re going to select and you have already selected your Supplement contract. But, it’s getting there that’s the immediate concern since your current private health insurance ends soon and you have a gap to fill. Fortunately, there are some great “gap fillers” that will provide solid healthcare coverage until you’re ready to enroll in  Medicare,  along with supplement coverage. And these plans are issued by companies you’re familiar with, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Medical Mutual and Aetna. Smaller less-recognizable companies also can provide worthwhile options, such as Molina,, SummaCare, and CareSource. Need Coverage For A Month, A Year, Or Longer? The most important issue you face is the length of time you need coverage. For example, if you are less than six months from becoming Medicare-eligible, a very common and inexpensive option is a temporary policy. This type of plan is very affordable, and is generally considered the most economical type of medical coverage. Policy benefits are very flexible. Although existing conditions are not covered, and most benefits must meet a deductible, it’s a great stop-gap type of coverage that works well. However, it’s important to coordinate your pre-65 and your post-65 healthcare plans so there is no lapse in coverage....

The more claims you submit on your medical insurance, the higher your rate will become. Is that true here in Ohio? Well, not really. Whether you have an incredibly healthy year or just one of those years when you and other family members caught the flu six times, it will not make a significant difference in your healthcare premium. The price you pay is determined by your age, where you live, the type of plan, the carrier, your smoking status, and the amount of your federal subsidy (if applicable). I realize many Ohioans may not be aware of this. You’re probably used to your auto insurance tripling after three or four accidents in the last three years. Or perhaps your homeowner’s policy was canceled after two roof claims and a hailstorm that ruined your shed. But healthcare is different now, compared to prior when Marketplace options were not available. Fewer Claims Probably Means You Have No Major Medical Conditions Of course you want to have very few claims each year since the result is that you and other family members were healthy. And presumably, other than your premium, very little copays, deductibles or coinsurance were paid. It also means that if you had an active Ohio Health Savings Account (HSA), more of your contributions stayed in your account, instead of being disbursed for qualified expenses. The unused funds can continue to accumulate and be utilized in the...

A relatively unknown feature of many medical plans, makes reducing the deductible on your Ohio health insurance policy possible without increasing your rate.  UnitedHealthcare and Assurant now offer reductions to your major medical deductible if you meet certain conditions. It’s very possible if you and other family members remain healthy, your potential medical  out-of-pocket expenses will come down. Here’s a quick look at each company’s program: UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthCare’s “deductible credit” provides a 20% reduction  on your policy every year you don’t meet that amount. This discount will be applied every year until you reach 50%, which is the maximum. The savings can be substantial, especially if you have a high deductible, such as $10,000. Even on lower amounts, it’s an easy way to save money if you have a big in-hospital  or other large claim. It’s also incentive, of course, for you to stay with UHC for many years. So, hypothetically, if you rarely (if ever) meet your deductible, you could effectively  lower your premium by selecting a higher amount, wait a few years and eventually it becomes that lower amount you wanted! But you saved a few thousand dollars every year (assuming a family plan). This isn’t a bad concept! Maybe UnitedHealthCare’s  plan is even better than we thought! And they are one of the few carriers to offer this feature. In most areas of the...

Abortion coverage will not be provided by Exchange plans in the Buckeye State. John Kasich, Ohio’s Governor, signed a bill that prohibits the purchase of any policy in the Marketplace that covers abortion. Naturally, opponents and supporters of the bill voiced their opinion on the legislation. The group “Ohio Right To Life” generally supports the bill, agreeing that consumers have a right to health care, but not at the expense of a “death to an innocent child.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is not happy with the bill and has threatened to sue the state. Other smaller groups and organizations have also expressed strong opinions on this very contentious subject. Who Pays For Ohio Abortions? One of the key issues is whether citizens of the state should be forced to pay for abortions if “Obamacare” is fully implemented. Individual states are allowed to exclude abortion from covered benefits if it is stipulated by law. This recently signed bill actually originated in 2010 and had both Democratic and Republican support in June of this year. It would not be surprising to see other states pass similar bills. Of course, the “Exchange” may never become a reality anyhow since it is part of the controversial Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”). Currently, OH residents can purchase a wide variety of policies at affordable rates directly...

Is it safe to buy your health insurance policy through a website? Yes. When you purchase a medical plan online through us, any information you provide is kept private and the quoted prices are the best rates you can find from any broker, internet site or directly through an insurer. You save time and money while you are getting expert guidance from a local resource. Most applications and enrollments are submitted online through a link you are provided on our website. You create your own log-in name and password that only you know. Any information you provide is electronically forwarded to the carrier. We do not view any of the details unless you allow it. Of course, we help you throughout the entire enrollment process. If you apply during an Open Enrollment period, no medical questions will be asked and an instant federal tax credit (subsidy) will be applied to the premium. Fax Or Email Applications You can also trust the other methods of purchasing coverage. Many customers  prefer to fax or email the actual applications. We provide a secure email and fax system that ensures that only ONE person will receive your paperwork before the insurer receives the enrollment form. Depending on the company, it’s possible you may not have to provide any type of billing information when you apply. Of course, we’re always happy to explain each company’s guidelines. And we make it very easy...

Obamacare health insurance took a hit this week when the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that an amendment blocking the controversial healthcare overhaul can, and will be on the ballot in November. Ohioans can now vote to exclude themselves from a federal law that would require the purchase of medical coverage plans. ProgressOhio had claimed that many signatures on the original petition should not have counted. But the Ohio Court disagreed, after considering the allegations and reviewing more than 400,000 signatures. secretary of State Jon Husted also verified that the signatures were authentic. The Buckeye State Already Has Low Rates Currently Ohio health insurance rates are among the lowest in the US. Inexpensive individual and family plans are available at prices that are generally 20%-50% less than many other states. We provide free comparison shopping to consumers, who can freely select the company and type of coverage they want. It’s likely that freedom will be ending if national healthcare reform, in its present format, is fully enacted in 2014. The Supreme Court will also be ruling in 2012 (June?) to determine if individuals can be forced to buy healthcare. If the SP rules it is not illegal to be uninsured, a key piece of Obamacare will be stripped away, and many carriers may choose not to offer Marketplace coverage. Jo Jingles of Reuters wrote an excellent article providing...

Your Health Insurance Quotes Are Free! I’m probably asked a few times per week how much we charge, what are our fees, and are the  quotes free? I assure you that the information we provide is always accurate, unbiased, and without cost or obligation. Prices, benefits, and plan availability is always regularly updated and any Marketplace or legislative changes are immediately applied. With 35 years of experience, you won’t find a more unbiased resource for individual and family medical coverage. Whether it’s Anthem Blue Cross, Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, SummaCare, CareSource, Ambetter, Medical Mutual or any other carrier, the rates you receive are the lowest each company offers. Also, new Exchange companies, such as Paramount Health Insurance Plans In Ohio, are reviewed. Our “quote engine” allows you to instantly compare your options from all companies, and enroll online in less than 20 minutes. And not only are the quotes free, but when you apply for coverage through our website, we’ll help guide you through the application, keep you updated on the progress, and review the policy to make sure the rate and coverage is acceptable to you. Whether you keep your policy 10 days or 10 years, we will always be available to help you with any coverage, billing or claim issues. As your household income changes, you may need to adjust your federal subsidy (if applicable) or change...