Ohio Medicaid Health Insurance is available to many Ohio residents and offers two programs for children, families and pregnant women with low income that may not be able to afford Ohio health care. “Healthy Start” and “Healthy Families” are available to Ohio residents that have a social security number and meet certain financial requirements.

“Healthy Start” (also known as “SCHIP”) is available to children under age 19 and pregnant women in families with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Healthy Start does NOT impose a pre-existing condition clause. Once eligible for Ohio Medicaid, each child will have access to Healthchek, Ohio’s early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment program. Federal poverty level income requirements can be found here. 

“Healthchek” provides Ohio children (through age 20) preventative, diagnosis and treatment services. Eight checkups in the first two years of life along with follow-up annual checkups provide comprehensive health care. Each physical examination includes a medical history review, complete unclothed exam, vision and dental screening and other screenings and services (as needed).

Other Ohio Healthchek services include hearing and immunization assessments and additional diagnosis and treatment if a potential health problem is discovered. Any necessary lab tests, immunizations and nutritional advice will also be provided. Additional Healthchek information can be found here.

“Healthy Families” is an Ohio Medicare program available to families with income up to 90% of the federal poverty level. Each family must have a child under age 19. This program provides comprehensive coverage to members including doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, mental health services, well-child examinations, and dental and vision services.

To apply for coverage for either “Healthy Start” or “Healthy Families,” Ohio residents can call (800) 324 8680 or visit the Ohio Government website and apply online.

Ohio residents not eligible for Medicaid can obtain low cost Ohio health insurance plans from Ohioquotes.com, the state’s premier resource for affordable health insurance plans. For an instant quote, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

McCain means business!

If you’re like myself and my family, you probably pay for your own health insurance. And thus, you also pay at least a few hundred dollars in premiums each month. And if you’re self-employed, it’s an expense that you have seem rising almost every year.

Will John McCain help you? How about Barack Obama? What about Ross Perot? Oh, sorry. He’s not running this year.

If elected, Obama says he will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. The Obama plan will feature some of the following:

1. Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or any pre-existing conditions.

2. Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the plan members of Congress have. The plan will cover all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care.

3. Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

4. Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.

5. Simplified paperwork and reduced health costs.

6. Easy enrollment. The new public plan will have simple enrollment and provide ready access to coverage.

However, John McCain says he would allow the nationwide sale of private health insurance without government oversight, similar to the bill that Rep. John Shadegg, an Arizona Republican, has introduced. While there have been Democratic cosponsors of that bill in the past, the fact that McCain is currently considering the proposal now probably means bipartisan action is unlikely for the foreseeable future. McCain’s vision also includes tax-credits for many people that buy their own health insurance. That’s one of the big features I like about his plan.
So what’s the best choice for consumers? Well…do we really want the government to become the nation’s largest health insurance company? This is what would occur under Obama’s plan. Increased competition is better for all of us, so I favor McCain’s ideas.
For more information on health insurance for Ohio residents, please visit http://www.ohioquotes.com

Of course…you’re familiar with the major health insurance companies. Anthem, UnitedHealthCare, Aetna, Humana, Medical Mutual etc… And of course, all are reputable companies. However, there are some companies that you should never consider for your health coverage.

Here’s my silly Top-10 list of companies to run away from…fast!

10.  United Asbestos Removers Insurance Company

 9.   Blue Cross Red Ink Insurance Company

 8.   Smokers Only Insurance Company

 7.   Nigerian Lottery Winner Insurance Company

 6.   Farm Animal and Reptile Insurance Company

 5.   Claim Denial Experts Insurance Company

 4.   Chapter 7, 11 and 13 Insurance Company

 3.   Power Eaters Anonymous Insurance Company

 2.   Ohio River Sludge Fund Insurance Company

And…the Number one Company to run away from fast…

 1.   The Great Rate/No Claim Allowed Insurance Company