Did you really go online and request an Ohio health insurance quote? Well…let me guess what happened. You received 26 phone calls the first day, and about 15 calls every day for two weeks.

When you think of Ohio 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 most 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.

In most cases, Anthem’s rates tend to be their highest in the Northern portion of the state. The Columbus, Springfield,  Dayton and Cincinnati areas often feature Anthem’s most competitive rates.

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.

UnitedHealthCare’s  most comprehensive copay policy is the “Copay Select” contract. It features a  $35 copay on covered office visits. There is no maximum limit on the number of allowable visits, although, unlike previous plans, the $35 copay is not adjustable.

Prescriptions are capped at $3000 per covered person per year. Although the generic copay is $15, in most cases your purchase price will be less. Non-generic prescriptions, as expected, can get a bit pricey.

Child and adult preventative care are solidly covered, including vaccines. Lab test and x-ray coverage are offered without a deductible. Mental health coverage is limited, and as usual with most major carriers, maternity is excluded.

Overall, UnitedHealthCare’s  “Copay Select”  Plan  rates very high. It is missing a few coverages that Anthem’s “Plan 2” has, but throughout most areas of Ohio, the rate is extremely competitive, especially in the Dayton and Columbus areas.

Aetna’s PPO 2500 plan is similar, but has a higher non-generic deductible ($500 instead of UHC’s $100). However, Aetna’s annual cap on prescriptions is $5,000 instead of $3000.

Medical Mutual’s SuperMedOne Standard policy is also very competitively priced in the Ohio Health Insurance market. Coverages are very impressive and rates are usually attractive.

To instantly view, compare and apply for an Ohio health insurance plan, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

What is a Health Savings Account (“HSA”)?

A Health Savings Account is an alternative to traditional health insurance; it is a savings product that offers a alternative way for consumers to pay for their health care. HSAs enable you to pay for current health expenses and save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.

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You must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to be able to take advantage of HSAs. An HDHP generally costs less than what traditional health care coverage costs, so the money that you save on insurance can therefore be put into the Health Savings Account.

Many Ohio insurance companies offer HSAs.  Anthem and UnitedHealthCare may be the best options while Medical Mutual and Aetna are also companies to consider.

What Is a “High Deductible Health Plan” (HDHP)?
You must have an HDHP if you want to open an HSA. Sometimes referred to as a “catastrophic” health insurance plan, an HDHP is an inexpensive health insurance plan that generally doesn’t pay for the first several thousand dollars of health care expenses  (i.e., your “deductible”) but will generally cover you after that .  Of course, your HSA is available to help  pay for the expenses your plan does not cover. A wide range of deductibles is available…generally between $1500 and $10,000. 

How can I get a Health Savings Account?

Ohio residents can visit http://www.ohioquotes.com for an instant free quote. Out-of-state residents can visit http://www.majormedicalhealth.com. These are two of the most comprehensive health insurance websites available to the public. And yes…I am a bit biased!

How much does an HSA cost?
An HSA is not something you purchase; it’s a savings account into which you can deposit money on a tax-preferred basis.  The only product you purchase with an HSA is a High Deductible Health Plan, an inexpensive plan that will cover you should your medical expenses exceed the funds you have in your HSA. The two websites listed in the prior paragraph will provide you with immediate rates.