Consumer-driven health care (CDHC) refers to health insurance policies that allow policyholders to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and other medical-payment plans to pay routine medical expenses. Separately, a high-deductible health insurance policy covers the catastrophic claims. The combination of these two plans generally costs less than conventional Ohio health insurance plans. The balance (if any) of a pre-funded spending account is kept by the policyholder and “rolled over” to the next year.

Sound complicated? Maybe a bit. I (myself, wife and two children) have this type of coverage so I can personally endorse the idea.

The folks at Humana are quite effective at explaining the concept. I think you’ll find this video quote informative.

Evidently, you know where to buy your Ohio health insurance, because you’re here! Ohioquotes.com is the premier source for Ohio health insurance plans. If you don’t currently have insurance, or you’re looking for a more affordable policy, you have come to the right place.  But there are hundreds…perhaps thousands of websites that will provide rates.

So…what makes this website so special? Let’s start with the plans that are presented to you. Only quality Ohio health insurance companies are considered. You know…the reputable ones, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthCare, Medical Mutual and Humana. You’ll never find any type of “discount plan” or any company that I wouldn’t use for my own coverage.

Comparing different Ohio health care plans can be very confusing. But we try to simplify the process for you. Side-by-side comparisons allow you to select the coverages that you need and choose an affordable plan. And if you apply for coverage, you’ll get plenty of help. Your short application can be completed online, via fax or by mail. And a live person is generally available to assist you.

Just as importantly, when you are requesting an Ohio health insurance quote, do you want six out-of-state brokers incessantly calling you and possibly recommending the wrong plans? Of course not. Many online quote websites are simply selling your information to anyone that will pay for it. This site? We never release your information to anyone. And nobody will ever ask for your checking account or credit card number.

But what about the rates? Are they truly the lowest available Ohio health insurance rates? You betcha! And that’s a guarantee. Ohio health care rates are regulated by the Department of Insurance. So, you won’t find a lower premium. And we’ll take the extra time to make sure the plan you purchase is the right fit. You’ll be able to use the coverages that are important to you, and avoid paying for items that you don’t need and would never use.

Finally…and perhaps, most importantly…Ohioquotes.com is based in Ohio and managed by a real live person! Ed Harris, a 1980 Miami University graduate, owns and operates the site. He resides in Springboro with his wife (a Pittsburgh native) and two children. Ed has been a health insurance broker since graduation, and personally answers all of your emails. He loves tennis and golf and enjoys discussing International politics. In fact, every 10 years, he bowls. And much to his wife’s disappointment, he takes his laptop on vacations, so he can answer all of those emails!

There are hundreds of Ohio health insurance plans. Coverages range from high-deductible catastrophic plans to comprehensive plans with small out-of-pocket expenses. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are also available and growing in popularity.

Ohioquotes.com, the premier website for Ohio health insurance plans, reviews popular Ohio policies each month. This month, all four reviewed plans are readily available, easily underwritten, and quite affordable.

Anthem Value Plan Two office visits per person (per year) are included, subject to a $30 copay. Brand-name formulary and and Generic non-formulary prescription are included. Like many Ohio health insurance plans, some preventative care and diagnostic services are included. And a generous $5 million lifetime limit is also built into the policy.

UnitedHealthCare Copay Saver Plan  One of many Ohio health insurance plans offered by UnitedHealthCare. A $35 copay applies to the two allowed office visits per person per year (including wellness). Generic prescriptions are subject to a $15 copay while non-generic prescriptions are not covered. The lifetime limit is $3 million and maternity coverage can be added as a rider.

Aetna Preventative And Hospital Care 3000  Perhaps Aetna’s most affordable Ohio health insurance plan, this policy is HSA compatible. The principal feature of the policy is the outstanding preventative care coverage. Annual routine GYN exams, routine physicals, and Paps/Mammograms are not subject to a deductible. A $1 million lifetime limit is included.

UnitedHealthCare Saver 80 Plan One of the least expensive Ohio health insurance plans, this plan is designed to cover catastrophic claims. Major medical and emergency room charges are covered, along with most routine hospital expenses. Office visits are not covered, although a drug prescription discount card in included. $3 million of lifetime limit coverage per person is included in each policy.

Affordable Ohio health insurance plans are available, and often can be approved in less than a week. The application process is simple and physicals are rarely required.

President Obama wants to overhaul U.S. and Ohio health care. Can he do it? He took his first step by naming a University of North Dakota rural healthcare expert to lead the federal agency in charge of improving access to care in the United States.

Mary Wakefield was chosen to head the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. This agency will oversee the disbursement of $2.5 billion in the economic stimulus signed by President Obama. Ohio health care programs will likely see some of the money, but it may take quite a while to trickle down to the consumer.

The Ohio health care system faces a shortage of nurses and has many individuals and families without Ohio health insurance. Can Obama push through a bill in Congress ?

The Associated Press reports that President Obama plans to move quickly.

“They don’t intend to blink. They intend to plow ahead,” said health economist Len Nichols of the nonpartisan New America Foundation. “Health reform is seen as essential to balancing the federal budget and economic recovery in the long run.”

Ohio health care will change, but it will take time. Premiums will likely reduce, but the major Ohio health insurance companies, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and UnitedHealthCare, will still be able to offer a wide variety of policies.

A Health Savings Account is a tax-favored savings account that is combined with a high-deductible health insurance plan. HSAs allow you to pay for current medical expenses and save for future qualified expenses on a tax-free basis.

The first step is establishing a high-deductible health insurance plan (HDHP). These plans are available through most Ohio health insurance companies, including UnitedHealthCare, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Medical Mutual. The HDHP is an inexpensive catastrophic health insurance plan that generally does not pay for the first few thousand dollars of health care (the “deductible.”). However, after the deductible, expenses are covered at 80% or 100%, depending on the plan.

You have complete control over the funds in your HSA. You also decide the types of investments to make with the money in the account in order to make it grow. Some of the funds in your HSA can come from the money you save on your insurance, since an HDHP usually costs less than traditional health care costs.

Once the HDHP is in place, the HSA can be set up through banks, credit unions and other approved companies. There are many very good Ohio Health Insurance Accounts. For specific details on rates and coverage, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

Oh…by the way…I have an HSA. And I have been very happy with its performance.