Ohio Health Insurance

Ohio Individual Health Insurance

You are a young, healthy adult living in Ohio. You may ask – why health insurance? The reason is that regardless of how physically fit you are, an unexpected illness or injury could put you in a lot of financial trouble. So even if you are young and in good shape, you need to think about finding affordable Ohio individual health insurance. Read on to know your options and for some tips to stay covered.

•    Coverage through your parent’s health plan: Health care reform allows young, unmarried dependents to stay on a parent’s health plan until age 26. This is convenient, but if you are planning to move to another state, your benefits might  be reduced. Also, this coverage is available only till you get employer-based coverage.

•    Coverage through an Ohio student health insurance plan: If you are just out of school and joining a college outside your state, you need to think about a getting an affordable student health insurance plan as your parent’s plan wouldn’t cover you. Remember that the plan that your college offers wouldn’t cover you if you are a part-time student or if you live off campus. Buying an Ohio individual health insurance policy on your own would cover you all year, even during your holidays. It will also ensure coverage for prescriptions.

•    Affordable individually-purchased health insurance: Affordable Ohio health individual insurance plans are available for healthy young adults. Health care reform has eliminated lifetime coverage limits and improved access to many preventive medical services. Contact an experienced, licensed Ohio health insurance agent to get free quotes, and expert advice to compare plans and choose the right one.

•    Coverage through a short-term plan:  If you are looking for a job, or have just found one and are waiting for job-based coverage to start, you could think about getting an Ohio short-term health insurance plan. Coverage is for one to eleven months. Preventive care, prescription drugs, or pre-existing medical conditions might  not be covered. This type of plan is very inexpensive, but it can protect you in case of unexpected accident or illness.

•    Employer-based coverage: Ohio health insurance through your employer is ideal because it comes with many benefits. Check out the HSAs and FSAs that your employer may offer as these are plans that allow you to save for health care on a tax-free basis. You can add on supplemental insurance for accident and/or critical illness insurance with a high deductible health insurance plan. Job-based coverage cannot be refused because of a pre-existing condition. You share the monthly premium with your employer. A  Kaiser Family Foundation survey reported that in 2011, the cost of single-person coverage under employer-sponsored health insurance was approximately $446 per month. Out of this, the employee’s share was only about $78.

Everyone is awaiting the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the health care reform law. Keep yourself informed about the changes that are taking place and how they could affect your Ohio individual health insurance options.

Affordable Ohio Health Insurance

You live in Ohio, have just graduated and are job hunting. Finding the right job with all the right benefits could take time. Besides getting employment to suit your qualifications, you need to ensure that your health risks are covered. Though the provisions of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care were aimed at helping young adults find affordable coverage, there is a lot of uncertainty. The law has come under scrutiny and no one is sure about its fate. But there this is no reason for you to wait – as a new college graduate it is in your best interests to find affordable health insurance in Ohio without delay. This article offers you guidance on how to purchase coverage.

Health Insurance in Ohio for Graduates – Choose the Right Option

As a recent graduate, there are three ways you could get coverage:

1) enroll in your new employer’s health plan
2) purchase an Ohio individual health insurance policy on your own, or
3) stay on your parents’ health insurance plan.

It’s important that you understand the coverage available under these options insure you to choose the right one.

-    Employer-based health insurance is safe as you cannot be turned down even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Such coverage is also affordable since your employer pays a part of the monthly premium. It’s important to know how much of your wage will go towards paying your share of the premium.

-    If you are a healthy young grad, you can buy Ohio individual health insurance on your own. Ohio-based health insurance providers offer many types of affordable plans. Options have improved with health care reform eliminating lifetime limits on essential benefits such as hospital stays, and allowing free access to many preventive medical services. Remember: You could be denied coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.

-    The new law makes it possible for you to stay on your parents’ plan till you reach age 26, provided you are not enrolled in an employer-based plan. You get the maximum benefit if you live in Ohio.

Guidelines to Find Comprehensive Ohio Health Insurance Coverage

The golden rule is to get health insurance – no matter how young and healthy you are. Here are some things to look out for:

-    High deductible plan: A health insurance plan with a high deductible is affordable and can cover your out-of-pocket costs if you are faced with unexpected medical expenses. If you are relatively healthy, a high deductible plan with a low monthly premium could be right for you. Just ensure that you can afford to pay the high annual deductible.

-    Short-term health insurance: In many cases, employer-based coverage can take time to come into effect. Consider buying an Ohio short-term health insurance plan to cover you during the waiting period. You can get significant coverage for a sudden hospitalization, through preventive care, prescription drugs, or pre-existing medical conditions would not be included.

-    Supplemental health insurance: Your main health insurance policy may not cover everything. You can fill the gaps by purchasing supplemental health insurance for accident and/or critical illness insurance.

-    Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Consider an HSA. If you are enrolled in a high deductible health insurance (HDHP), you can pair it with an HSA which allows you to save money for qualified health costs on a tax-free basis. If you are working, your employer can set up an FSA (Flexible Spending Account). Contributions to the FSA are made from your wages, are tax-free and can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses, including copayments, deductibles, and more.

Benefits of Professional Assistance

Professional guidance from an experienced, licensed insurance broker can go a long way in helping you find affordable individual health insurance in Ohio. Your agent can help you get free quotes, compare plans and apply for a policy. A knowledgeable broker can also help you understand the happenings on the health insurance scene and how they will affect you.

Ohio Short Term Health Insurance

Having Ohio health insurance is no longer an option – it’s a necessity. If you are employed, you would be covered by an employer-sponsored plan, though now you could be paying a higher share of the coverage than before. As with the rest of the U.S., the Ohio job market has been hit by the economic crisis.  Though a recent Morgan Chase survey shows that employment is expected to strengthen in the Ohio economy, college graduates may have to wait a while till they find a job. Even those who are lucky enough to land one may find that they have to wait a while before employer coverage begins. At a time like this, buying Ohio short-term health insurance is a wise decision.

Coverage under a Short-term Ohio Medical Insurance Plan

Ohio health insurance companies offer affordable Ohio short-term health insurance to meet the short-term needs for people who are between jobs, waiting for employer coverage to start, new graduates (who are not covered by a parent’s plan), and foreigners living temporarily at a U.S address. Points to note:

•    Temporary health insurance policies are designed for people who are healthy
•    They provide coverage for a period of one to six months
•    They cover emergency medical bills, hospital care, doctor’s office visits, and diagnostic tests
•    They do NOT cover pre-existing medical conditions and preventive care. Prescription drug coverage is offered only for an accident or illness that occurs during the coverage period
•    One of the greatest advantages of a temporary policy is that you can qualify with almost no underwriting questions
•    Coverage can be immediate and start the next day.

Reliable Ohio Short-term Health Insurance Options

Leading Ohio health insurance companies such as Medical Mutual of Ohio, United Health One, Assurant Health, Humana and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offer affordable Ohio short-term health insurance plans. The plans are quite comprehensive too. For instance, a short-term plan from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield even covers surgery such as human organ and tissue transplant up to $1,000,000, 50% of the covered services after the deductible for durable medical equipment, and up to 40 visits for home health care. Medical Mutual of Ohio short-term plans feature extensive coverage with co-pays for doctor visits. United Health One offers a choice of ‘Value’ and ‘Plus’ short term plans, with the former offering lower benefits and lower premiums. The short-term plans from Assurant Health are competitively priced and also probably the easiest to qualify for in Ohio. Humana, the leader in short-term policies nationwide, offers access to an extensive network of providers in several states.

Choose a Short-term Policy that Meets Your Needs

Consult your Ohio health insurance broker when you are buying short-term Ohio medical insurance. Remember that these plans offer temporary protection until you secure more permanent coverage and are not renewable. So it is also highly advisable to talk to your broker about choosing the right Ohio individual medical insurance plan when your short-term coverage ends.

Ohio Short Term Health Insurance

Ohio short term health insurance is a great option for unemployed persons as it offers coverage for unexpected catastrophes. Short term health plans are assuming great significance in these financially challenging times. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2011 saw employers taking 1579 mass layoff actions, displacing 145.000 workers. Since the economic downturn, the number of workers filing for unemployment insurance has been rising. Things have been made worse with COBRA subsidies coming to a close on August 31, 2011. COBRA subsidies were a federal stimulus package to help laid-off workers continue their health care coverage. The end of these subsidies means higher health insurance expenses for those who lose their jobs. If you are an Ohioan and between jobs, it’s possible to tide over these challenges by applying for a short term health insurance plan. Leading health insurance providers offer several options that provide a practical safety net for laid-off workers.

Short Term Health Insurance Ohio – Features

Short-term medical insurance can help a person who is laid off get temporary health insurance coverage till he/she finds another job. It is different from other types of health insurance. The main features of Ohio short term health insurance are:

•    Quick – The plans are simple and easy to apply for and coverage starts almost immediately.

•    Good basic coverage – Many short-term plans offer coverage that is almost similar to traditional plans. Doctor’s office visits, hospital charges, and emergency care are usually covered while prescription drug coverage is offered for an accident or illness that occurs during the plan period. This makes them a good safety net for the unemployed.

•    Limited underwriting – It is easy to qualify for short-term plans as they involve only a few underwriting questions such as whether the applicant has a heart condition, diabetes, and so on.

•    Period of coverage – The period of coverage that a short term plan offers could be as few as 30 days or for as long as 12 months.

•    Competitively priced – Leading providers offer short-term plans that are competitively priced and come with attractive copays. Choices range from plans with low premiums and high deductibles, to those that have low deductibles, but a higher monthly cost.

Points to note:

•    The expenses for the treatment or cost of medication or pre-existing conditions are usually not covered in short-term plans. With recent reform, short term health insurance will exclude preventative benefits such as a physical or immunizations.

•    Short term medical insurance is non-renewable. Once a plan ends, you have to apply afresh.

Make an Informed Choice

Besides those between jobs, Ohio short term health insurance plans provide a safety net for many – part-time employees, divorcees who lose coverage under a spouse plan, early retirees and recent graduates who are no longer on a parent’s plan. There are many different kinds of short term policies in the market. To make an informed choice, get informed and knowledgeable advice from an established Ohio health insurance agent.

Ohio Short Term Health Insurance

Short term health coverage is meant for people who are looking for temporary medical insurance for periods ranging from one to eleven months. You should consider a short term health plan if you are:

•    Between jobs
•    New employees waiting for coverage to begin at the work place
•    Part-time, temporary or seasonal workers
•    A new school graduate who is not on a parent’s health plan
•    Early retirees

Leading health insurance providers offer Ohio Short Term Health Insurance Plans. Choosing a suitable plan involves comparing offerings and signing up for one that offers reliable coverage.

Ohio Short Term Health Insurance Plans – A Comparison of Features

Well-known health insurance companies such as Medical Mutual of Ohio, United Health One, Assurant Health, Humana, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offer short-term plans with various kinds of benefits.

•    Medical Mutual of Ohio offers short-term plans that have features similar to traditional health insurance. Unlike other short-term plans, this provider offers complete coverage along with co-pays for doctor visits. Though the plans are expensive, most people like to have their office visits paid for with a co-pay rather than meet a high deductible first.

•    With United Health One, you have a choice of short-term Copay, Value plans and Plus plans. The Copay plan offers convenient, predictable copays for doctor visits and prescriptions. The Medical Plus comes with a fixed deductible and coinsurance for the coverage period, offers more coverage than a value plan, and is ideal for covering predictable out-of-pocket expenses. The Medical Value plan is less expensive than Copay and Plus plans and feature a new deductible for each illness or injury.

•    With a limited number of underwriting questions, Assurant Health plans are comparatively easy to qualify for. The short-term plans come with low premiums and coverage can begin the same day.

•    HumanaOne’s plans are known for their flexibility and include prescription drug coverage. The application process is quick and simple, and coverage can start next day. In Ohio, Humana’s network is stronger in places such as Cincinnati and Dayton.

•    A recognized leader in health insurance throughout the United States, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers competitively priced short-term health insurance plans which allow you to see any Blue Cross Blue Shield Doctor or Hospital in any state.

Getting the Right Short Term Health Coverage

Going without health coverage is dangerous, however young and healthy you may be. So choose to be covered at all times. Things you need to consider when buying an Ohio Short Term Health Insurance Plan are:

•    Does the coverage offered meet your needs, however temporary they may be?

•    Is the plan affordable – this is especially important if you are a student or unemployed

•    What are the terms of the policy

•    Is coverage easy to apply for and obtain?

Consulting a reliable health insurance broker is the best way to understand Ohio short-term health insurance plans, compare features and choose the right one.