Shop for healthcare coverage in Ohio and enroll in less than 25 minutes. View the lowest prices from multiple companies and choose the benefits that you need for yourself and any other family members. If you have serious medical issues that need to be treated, we will customize benefits to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
Private Vs. Group Coverage
Group rates have been steadily increasing, and as a result, private options have become very popular. Our specialty is helping you find the perfect policy for your needs and assisting in the enrollment and underwriting process, so you are approved as quickly as possible. HMO, PPO and HSA plans are offered in most areas, along with “off-Exchange” plans for applicants who do not want/need a federal subsidy and prefer minimal government involvement.
As a result of changes in to our healthcare delivery system, many employers are eliminating full-time positions and replacing them with part-time jobs. Often, however, the number of worker hours only slightly declines, from around 40 per week to approximately 30-35. However, this eliminates the need for providing medical benefits to the employee.
Many consumers here in the Buckeye state are either paying for their own plan or are listed as a dependent on their spouse’s group policy. Because of yearly “Open Enrollments,” there are affordable options that can be considered. We make it easy for you to enroll online and receive a federal tax subsidy (if you qualify) that reduces your cost.
Medical coverage for single persons often costs less than $100 per month, depending on the size of premium tax credit and cost-sharing subsidy. Additional dependents can increase the amount of the subsidy, and lower deductibles and copays on Silver-tier plans. However, lower-income households may need to enroll for CHIP benefits to retain the low cost of coverage. The Ohio Department of Medicaid may offer adult benefits.
There are also many advantages when you are the owner of your own plan. Not only is it portable (you can take it with you if you are ever terminated from the workplace), but you can change benefits regularly. Typically, if you are insured with a reputable company such as Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, SummaCare, Humana or Medical Mutual (and of course there are others), you can select different deductibles, copays and entire benefit packages. (Not all of the previously-mentioned carriers offer on-Exchange plans)
But the number of choices is much lower, due to new mandates (requirements) that began in 2014. Since no applicant can be turned down, a substantially higher number of claims are generally submitted. This has a major negative impact on prices unless large numbers of healthy applicants purchase policies. So far, since the passage of the ACA legislation, young healthy persons are NOT flocking to purchase coverage.
This situation has not necessarily raised premiums for young adults and students. But higher-income individuals and families that don’t qualify for a federal subsidy, have seen their rates continue to increase faster than expected. Thus, high-deductible plans and HSA Accounts continue to grow in popularity. Additional catastrophic options have also become available, although some benefits are limited.
Health Insurance Rates In Ohio Vary By County And Zip Code
Rates can vary from one area to another. For example, in most zip codes, Northern Ohio residents will pay a higher premium than their neighbors to the South. Coverages will not vary, but some carriers will have larger networks in certain areas of the state. Also, since the cost of a typical office visit or hospital stay is more expensive in the Cleveland, Toledo, or the Akron area, premiums, naturally will be higher.
For example, several of the zip codes that feature the lowest prices in the state include: 43015, 43016, 43026, 43054, 43081, 43147, 43560, 45065, 45066, 45069, 45174, 45242, 45322, 45365, and 45891.
However, student rates are typically fairly low, because of the age difference and much lower incidence of major health issues. Although college and university medical plans are sometimes inexpensive, they do not offer federal subsidy-eligibility. Also, chronic conditions may require additional specialized benefits that only private plans can offer.
Moving To Ohio?
If you are currently insured in another state and are moving to Ohio, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable the cost is here. Most other states charge a significantly higher premium and often don’t feature as many choices as we have here. In Indiana, there are only two available carriers, although Pennsylvania has seven participating Exchange carriers.
As your personal broker and advisor, we research and recommend the best plans for your specific budget and situation. And each year, your existing policy will be reviewed, to ensure the coverage still matches your needs, and to verify that your current rate is still competitive compared to other available options.
