In my 29 years as a health insurance broker, I have viewed, and subsequently recommended many health insurance plans. Each situation is different and, obviously, affordability issues play a big part in the decision-making process.

However, there are many available health insurance plans that are quite affordable, compared to other options. For this example, I am basing the rates on a healthy nonsmoking 35-year old male living in the Columbus area. Premiums provided are monthly…

$42  Aetna Preventive and Hospital Care 3000 ($3000 Ded.) 

$47  Anthem Blue Access Value ($5000 Ded.)

$52  Anthem Luminos HSA ($5000 Ded.)

$55  Anthem Blue Access Value ($3000 Ded.)

$61  Aetna Preventitive and Hospital Care 1200 ($1200 Ded.)

$63  Anthem Blue Access Value ($2000 Ded.)

$65  Aetna PPO 5000 ($5000 Ded.)

$77 Medical Mutual Standard 2500 ($2500 Ded.)

$93 Anthem Blue Access Plan 2 ($2500 Ded.)

All of these policies offer some level of office visit coverage without having to meet a deducible. Naturally, pre-existing conditions may increase the rate.

To instantly view your current Ohio health insurance rates, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.  

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

An Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield subsidiary has signed a consent order with the Ohio Department of Insurance agreeing that its online provider directory for mental health providers in Hamilton County is inaccurate and therefore misleading to consumers.

According to a news release, the Department of Insurance investigated a complaint that the Community Insurance Co. was misrepresenting its provider network by identifying providers as “in network” when the providers were unreachable, not in the company’s network or in the network, but not accepting new patients.

UnitedHealthcare’s contract with OhioHealth — the parent company of hospitals such as Grant Medical Center and Doctors, Dublin Methodist and Riverside Methodist — expires June 9, and negotiations are coming down to the wire, 10TV’s Lindsey Seavert reported.

The insurer informed customers recently that unless a new contract is signed soon, they may have to change doctors and hospitals to remain in UnitedHealthcare’s network.

UnitedHealthcare has more than 280,000 members in central Ohio.

Jeff Oster, DPM has created Myfootshop.com which offers help on foot and ankle problems in articles and discussion forums by experts and patients with similar problems.

It’s expensive to get sick. Co-pays and deductibles are up. Fewer and fewer services are considered covered services by your insurance company. Or even worse, you have no health insurance at all. With or without health insurance, it seems that any time you are sick, you still pay your own way.

A recent study found that between 2001 and 2005, health insurance premiums in Ohio rose by 34 percent to an average of $10,662, up from $7,944. The national average for growth was nearly 30 percent.

The study, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the State Health Access Data Center, also reported that about 8,000 Ohio companies stopped providing health coverage during that time, affecting more than 515,000 workers.

For additional Ohio health insurance information, please visit http://www.ohioquotes.com

If you live in Ohio, there are hundreds of websites that will give you a health insurance quote. And most will include the major companies in their searches, such as Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthCare, Humana, Medical Mutual and Aetna. We represent the major companies and strive to provide you with accurate Ohio health insurance quotes. And since we”re located in Ohio, we”re familiar with what carriers will offer the most affordable coverage in specific areas of the state.

Many other websites are strictly designed to sell your information to other companies and brokers across the country. So instead of getting an instant quote, you get dozens of unwanted emails and phone calls. We will never do that.

So…be careful, and here are a few tips:

• Always deal with a local Ohio broker – out-of-state agents may not know the details of Ohio plans and could very well recommend the wrong plan. Also, they may not be aware of recent changes in Ohio rates or underwriting.
• Do NOT give anyone your billing information over the phone until you have had a chance to review the plan on your own. If you can”t see the plan in writing, then stay away from the offer.
• Do not feel pressured. If any agent is making you feel uncomfortable or asks you for information you would rather not divulge, then seek the help of someone else.
• Ask how many years the Ohio broker has in been in the business. If the number is less than 10, move on.
• Don”t buy directly from the company. You”ll get the exact same rate from a broker, but without the bias.

For your free Ohio health insurance quote, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created by the Medicare bill signed by President Bush on December 8, 2003 and are designed to help individuals save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.

Here in Ohio, most major health carriers offer HSAs. Rates can vary, so it is a good idea to shop around for the best rate/coverage in your area.

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 different 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.

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.

You own and you control the money in your HSA. Decisions on how to spend the money are made by  you without relying on a third party or a health insurer. You will also decide what types of investments to make with the money in the account in order to make it grow.

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.

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 you pay for the expenses your plan does not cover.

Ohioquotes.com is the state”s leading authority for Ohio HSA plans. Instantly, you can view, compare or apply online for Ohio Health Savings Accounts.