Ohio Health Insurance News June 2008

Posted by Ed | General Insurance | Friday 13 June 2008 10:47 pm

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

“The survey of state-level enforcement found Ohio doesn”t require insurers to sell coverage to everyone who applies for it or prohibit higher premiums based on health status, like states including New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

However, Ohio regulators review some rate and premium increases before insurers can charge them, and the state has an external review program where consumers can appeal denials, the study said.

A spokesman for the Ohio Department of Insurance said Thursday that no one was available to discuss the study”s findings.
A December 2007 study on individual health insurance by the trade-industry group America”s Health Insurance Plans, found that 89 percent of applicants are offered coverage, and that Ohio”s average premium is $2,498 for an individual and $5,303 for a family.

Another study conducted by the group found that requiring insurers to disregard a person”s health in issuing individual policies encourages people not to buy insurance until they have a health problem, which would drive up premiums as lower-risk people depart the market.”

My take: It”s not such a bad thing that Ohio”s health insurers can charge higher rates to those applicants that are in poor health. Otherwise, rates would dramatically increase for EVERYONE…especially those in good health. Remember…Ohio has an “Open Enrollment” for persons that may not qualify for individual coverage.
From The Dayton Daily News:

“When Ohioans don”t buy their health insurance through employers or other groups, they usually don”t have very good insurance.

Ohio laws don”t prohibit charging prohibitive prices for inadequate coverage, or even from denying coverage at any price, health consumer organization Families USA reported in “Failing Grades: State Consumer Protections.””

My take: I respectfully disagree with that notion. Yes, there are many “discount plans” that are useless and should be avoided. But Ohio”s rates are quite low compared to other states and a policy may not be as expensive as you think.

UPDATE: 1-19-11. Guess what? Ohio”s health insurance rates are still low compared to most other states. Of course, now that we have Obamacare, it”s hard to say how things will look in 2014.


Medical Mutual of Ohio offers Competitive Rates

Posted by Ed | General Insurance | Sunday 11 May 2008 6:28 pm

Medical Mutual of Ohio offers extremely competitive health insurance rates in Ohio.  Although comprehensive plans are the most popular Medical Mutual plan, Health Savings Accounts have been growing in popularity every year.

Meet Medical Mutual of Ohio, one of the country””s oldest and most trusted insurance company. The company is more than 70 years old and insures more than 3.9 million customers. With more than $2 billion in annual revenue, this company is financially secure. In fact, they were chosen to handle Ohio””s high risk pool under the nation””s health care reform program.

Medical Mutual will not have the most competitive rate in all areas of the state. Generally, in the Northern part of Ohio, Medical Mutual rates are very good. In fact, in parts of Southwestern Ohio, their rates are also  among the lowest in the area.  We specialize in finding the company the offers the most affordable rates while at the same time, featuring coverages that meet your current needs.

If you need help with finding the best health insurance rate in Ohio, feel free to email eharris@ohioquotes.com or click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

UPDATE: November 2010. Medical Mutual rates are still very competitive. HSA rates in the Cincinnati area are now among the best in the state. Of course, health reform now requires HSAs to offer preventive benefits with no copays and no deductibles.


Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Posted by Ed | General Insurance | Saturday 3 May 2008 7:28 pm

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.