Affordable Ohio Health Insurance Plans

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Ohio self-employed health insurance plans are very affordable and offered by all top-rated companies including Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare. Starting or maintaining your own business as an independent contractor, freelancer, or private consultant doesn’t mean you have to take the risk of being uninsured or paying high rates. Many low-cost policies are offered with copays on primary-care physician and specialist visits, Urgent Care visits, online telemedicine visits, and most prescription drugs.

You may be eligible for a federal tax subsidy for many low-cost catastrophic, comprehensive, or HSA plans. Typically, you are considered self-employed if you are an independent contractor, member of a partnership, a sole proprietor, or have a business that you own (small or large). A non-working spouse can also qualify. A self-employment (SE) tax may also be required when your federal tax form is filed (assuming the business is profitable). You may be able to tax-deduct 100% of your policy premium, and reduce your adjusted gross income (AGI).

An instant tax credit is applied immediately to the premium for Marketplace/Exchange plans, so you do not have to wait to file your 2024 federal tax return to receive the reduction. Health insurance for self employed in Ohio is actually quite affordable. Several examples of the monthly subsidy amount you will receive are shown below. The example used below is a 55-year-old married couple residing in the Columbus area (Franklin County).

$1,860 – Household income of $30,000

$1,760 – Household income of $40,000

$1,620 – Household income of $50,000

$1,460 – Household income of $60,000

$1,400 – Household income of $65,000

$1,240 – Household income of $75,000

$1,110 – Household income of $85,000

If you are small business owner with no employees or hundreds of employees, we find the perfect fit for you. You also may be able to tax-deduct your premiums, depending on how you file your taxes and what type of expenses you incurred. You may also be able to deduct the cost of any dependent in your household. Cost-sharing and lower prices due to risk pool advantages help keep rates low.

A small business tax credit helps the owner offset the cost for employee medical benefits. 50% of the cost of your employee’s premiums may be creditable (25% for non-profit companies). SHOP coverage must be offered to all employees to qualify for the credit. The credit is larger with companies with average employee income under $25,000 and less than 10 workers are actively employed.

NOTE: You can choose to enroll in “on” or “off” Marketplace plans. Differences include federal subsidy eligibility, size of provider networks, and availability of plans. Non-Obamacare contracts will feature lower premiums for applicants that do not qualify for a federal subsidy. However, coverage will be lower with several benefits excluded. If you suddenly become eligible for coverage through an employer, you can cancel your existing policy without a penalty.

We Do The Research And You Save!

Ohio features some of the lowest healthcare costs in the US. Whether you are single, married with children, uninsured, or on Cobra, we research and show you the top reasonably-priced options. We also inform you which recent government reform changes will benefit small businesses. Premium tax credits are instantly applied, so your cost of coverage instantly reduces. Senior Medicare plans become available for persons that reach age 65. Disabled applicants may also qualify.

Our website makes it easy for you to easily compare and apply for coverage online or face-to-face. We do as much of the work as possible, so you can concentrate on running your business smoothly without interruption. Since you are not required to hire any employees, your personal household income determines the amount of federal subsidy you receive. Depending on the size and income of your household, rates for family plans often cost less than $250 per month. Increased 2024 subsidies have further lowered rates for most families.

We also consider reputable Association plans, such as the Chamber Of Commerce, church, and alumni organizations along with different union-affiliated groups, assuming you qualify. A “small business” policy may be offered by selected carriers if you have at least one employee. Your spouse or dependent would also qualify. Additional information on business income deductions is also provided. Online resources can help provide the most recent self-employment deductions and credits. Itemizing your federal tax return may not necessarily be needed to take advantage of many deductions.

 

Small Business Health Insurance Options In Ohio From Anthem

For employers with 2-50 employees, several carriers offer competitively-priced options. Anthem BCBS plans provide medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage that can be customized to fit your specific needs. The small group HMO network (Pathway Group HMO) provides a large selection of doctors, medical facilities, and hospitals for each covered person. Small group HSA plans are also available. The “BlueCard” also provides access to physicians and other facilities inside and outside the United States.

“EmployerAccess” helps companies administer plans quickly and efficiently. Tasks that can be quickly completed include view and pay bills online, download and view a benefit summary, order ID cards, enroll or delete employees and their family members, view transactions, and update worker information.

Maintaining excellent employee health helps both owner and worker. Several resources that provide support include a 24/7 nurse line, a wellness toolkit, “Future Moms,” which offers on call nurses and OB-GYN nurses, and “MyHealth Advantage,” which suggests changes to improve health.

LiveHealth Online is a feature that provides employees access to a doctor online 24/7. A mobile device or computer can be used to discuss headaches, common colds, allergies, and other basic medical issues. A licensed therapist is also available. The cost of each online visit can vary, but is typically about $49. “Sydney Health,” a mobile app for employees, is also widely available.

 

Popular Anthem Ohio Small Group plans are listed below:

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $5,600.  $25 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000.  $25 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $5 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000.  $25 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100. 

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $1,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000. $25 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $5 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $1,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000. $30 and $70 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $1,500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500. $25 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $2,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,400. $25 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $5 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $2,250 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $6,750. $30 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $2,500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000. $30 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $2,750 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500. $30 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Blue Access PPO – $3,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $6,800. $30 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Pathway Group HMO – $500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000. $25 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Pathway Group HMO – $1,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000. $25 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $5 and $100.

Anthem Gold Pathway Group HMO – $2,750 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500. $30 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Gold Pathway Group HMO – $2,750 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500. $30 and $60 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100. 

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $3,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500. $50 and $80 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $4,500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $8,250. $35 and $70 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $5,500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $8,400. $25 and $50 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $6,500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,950. $60 and $100 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $6,500 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $8,700. $40 and $85 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $3,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $6,000. HSA-eligible.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $3,250 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $6,900. HSA-eligible.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $4,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $6,750. HSA-eligible.

Anthem Silver Blue Access PPO – $5,250 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000. HSA-eligible. 

Anthem Bronze Blue Access PPO – $8,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $8,700. $50 and $80 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.

Anthem Bronze Blue Access PPO – $6,000 deductible and maximum out-of-pocket maximum of $7,000. $40 and $75 pcp and specialist copays. Virtual doctor visit and Urgent Care copays are $10 and $100.HSA-eligible.

 

Don’t Forget About HSAs In Ohio

One of the most popular plans for self-employed individuals and families is a Health Savings Account (HSA). HSAs are designed to help save for future qualified medical and retiree expenses on a tax-free basis. Plans (private and group) are available from many Ohio insurers, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Medical Mutual, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, and Humana. Premier and Assurant have exited the individual and group market.

Premiums are usually lower than COBRA rates. Typically, Anthem, Medical Mutual and Ambetter offer the most competitive rates. But most carriers have very different prices, depending on your zip code. Also, companies often do not offer plans in every county. For example, Anthem (under-65 plans) returned to the Buckeye State three years ago, but only in limited counties. Since that time, they have expanded their footprint in the Buckeye State. In future years, Aetna and Cigna may consider offering subsidized Marketplace plans. Cigna recently returned to Pennsylvania and offers plans through the Pennie Exchange.

To open an HSA, you must have a qualified “High Deductible Health Plan” (HDHP), which is a type of medical plan that has a higher deductible than a typical insurance policy. The HSA itself is a savings account that allows you to contribute funds on a tax-preferred basis. Qualified deductible expenses can also include dental and vision costs. Any funds not used during the year, can be rolled over to the following year without a penalty. Or, you can withdraw the money, since it is your own. Additional details are found on this link.

For 2024, individuals can contribute up to $4,150 into their HSA, and families can contribute up to $8,300. $1,000 of additional “catch up” contributions are allowed per year for persons 55 or older. Maximum out-of-pocket expenses for HSAs are $8,050 for individuals and $16,100 for families. You may also purchase an HSA without setting up a side fund for tax-favored deposits. The maximum deductible for Marketplace plans has increased to $9,450.

 

Current HSA Rates

Monthly prices assume a 45-year-old married couple residing in Columbus (Franklin County) with household income of $47,000

$54 – Anthem Bronze Pathway X HMO 7450/0% for HSA

$119 – Aetna Bronze 2 HSA

$121 – Ambetter Choice Bronze HSA

$168 – UnitedHealthcare Bronze Value HSA

$188 – Medical Mutual Market HMO 7300 HSA

$298 – Anthem Bronze Pathway X HMO 5400/0% for HSA

$618 – Medical Mutual Market HMO 3200 HSA 

 

Ways To Lower Your Premium

Reducing the cost can be accomplished in many ways. Increasing your policy deductible can reduce premiums by 30% (or more). With many policies, office visits and prescriptions are not subject to a deductible, and therefore, would not be affected. If you rarely use this coverage, placing a deductible on these benefits could substantially reduce your premium. Of course, preventive coverage is always provided at no cost to you. This allows you to utilize many provisions of your policy without having to pay for it.

$9,450 is the maximum allowed deductible for qualified Exchange plans. Although lower deductibles are offered (including several $0 deductible plans), the maximum out-of-pocket expenses can reach $9,450 per person. In 2025, the limit will increase.

If you don’t qualify for a subsidy, and you have no pre-existing conditions, a non-Obamacare plan will offer substantially lower premiums. Coverage will not be identical to approved Exchange plans, and unlimited benefits will not be offered. However, 12-36 month plans should be considered, with all exclusions and limitations clearly explained and understood. Preventative benefits, unlike Exchange plans, will not be fully-covered without some out-of-pocket expenses. Telemed and Urgent Care visits, however, may only be subject to a copay, instead of a deductible.

It Pays To Shop

Comparing several policies is always advisable. Every company bases their self-employed rates on various factors, including smoking status, health, and the county/ zip code where you live. You will be able to obtain more affordable medical coverage by considering multiple plans. Premiums typically change each year so it’s important to review all options on the policy renewal. Our proprietary software helps small and large businesses (regardless of the number of employees) purchase the most economical medical plans for their workers.

Whether you often travel outside of the state will play a role in which plan might be best for you. Perhaps just as important is your understanding of business law and regulations. Although not directly related to your medical benefits, employment and labor issues may impact the type of policy you choose, and handling legal issues should never be taken lightly. Internal and external business compliance requirements must be clearly understood and correctly implemented.

Many carriers have vast networks inside the state, but limited coverage in other states. Will that be an issue for you? Also, it may be advisable to purchase a plan “outside” of the Marketplace, if your family income is above $150,000. NOTE: Households with more dependents can qualify for a subsidy with higher incomes. Thus, Gold-tier and Silver-tier plans become much more affordable. Bronze-tier plans with a large subsidy are popular low-cost options. Platinum-tier plans are not offered in many areas.

US Small Business Administration(SBA)

The SBA was founded in 1953, and has helped Buckeye State residents secure loans, obtain free counseling, and start thriving businesses. Private and public organizations have been instrumental in assisting small local enterprises grow into much bigger companies. Although securing loans is a major function of the SBA, many additional services are provided.

During pandemics (COVID–19), additional assistance becomes immediately available. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides forgivable loans so that workers can remain employed. First draw and second draw PPP loans are also offered. Training and counseling is available through the SBA. Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance can help by offering borrower-friendly loan options. Private nonprofit firms often benefit from EIDL assistance.

Research grants and providing venture capital may also be available, depending on the type of product you are building, servicing, or manufacturing. If you are just starting a business, assistance with licensing, acquisition of equipment, and finding, hiring, and retaining employees can be furnished. Women-owned and HUBZone companies may receive extra help. For example, applications are typically processed within two months, and additional assistance is provided to expedite the certification process. Expansion into rural areas will continue and HUBZone maps are now updated every five years.

Steps recommended by the SBA when starting a small business are:

Do market research – gathering information is critical.

Develop a business plan – How will you develop and grow your business?

Finance your business – Determine how you will finance or borrow needed funds.

Choose a location -Do you want a high traffic area?

Business structure – Many legal issues must be addressed

What’s in a name? – Pick the name of your company.

Registration – Protect the brand name.

State and federal employee identification numbers – Other ID numbers may be required.

Keep compliant – Several licenses are needed.

Business accounts – Checking and savings accounts will be needed.

Once your business is launched, business-managing topics discussed by the SBA include remaining legally compliant, managing finances, hiring and managing workers, prepare for emergencies, recovering from disasters. and strengthening cybersecurity.

 

Review

Self-employed health insurance can be molded and shaped to meet specific needs. Whether you run a business with no or very few employees, you’re an independent contractor, or you work directly from your home, recent legislation has created several opportunities that allow you to enroll in an affordable plan.

Each situation is different, and our job is to research, evaluate and recommend the most suitable plan. Please feel free to provide your zip code at the top of this page to view your options. And of course, you can call us anytime. We’re located here in Ohio, just like you!