When it comes to searching for the right Ohio health insurance plan, there’s a lot to consider. It’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking about how much you can afford and what kinds of medical services you might need in the next year. The good news is that by evaluating your and your family’s needs, you’ll be able to find the right policy at a price everybody is happy about. But before beginning your search, take the time to look at Ohio’s requirements and guidelines.

Ohio Health Insurance Options

Although Ohio doesn’t enforce an individual mandate — which is a law that requires you to have health insurance — it’s best to have some level of coverage since life can get unpredictable and accidents or illness can happen at any time.

In the state of Ohio, you have the option to choose as an individual or family from qualified or non-qualified plans:

Qualified plans are ACA-compliant and must cover the ten Essential Health Benefits, which are services that are guaranteed coverage for services like the emergency room, ambulatory, and pediatric care.

Non-qualified plans are not ACA-compliant, but they are generally much cheaper with fewer coverage options. They are ideal for relatively healthy individuals and families who want to pay lower premiums.

Since Ohio operates on the federally facilitated exchange, residents must enroll in qualified plans through HealthCare.Gov, directly with an insurance carrier, or a private exxhange like iHealth Agents. Other options, like non-qualified plans, allow you to purchase through the off-exchange marketplace.

Understanding Health Insurance in Ohio

While Ohio doesn’t require its citizens to have health insurance, this type of coverage is always a good idea to have. Designed to help cover regular doctor visits and unexpected emergencies, health insurance plans can help you avoid going into significant medical debt.

As with all healthcare plans, you have the option to choose your level of coverage, which directly impacts how much your monthly premium will be. Most insurers abide by what’s called the “four tiers of health insurance plans,” which are:

Bronze
Bronze

40% out of pocket and 60% insurer pays

Silver
Silver

30% out of pocket and 70% insurer pays

Gold
Gold

20% out of pocket and 80% insurer pays

Platinum
Platinum

10% out of pocket and 90% insurer pays

Before selecting a plan, it’s best to assess your needs and how much you can afford. While some individuals or families prefer to have the most comprehensive coverage, others might want to opt for something less expensive with fewer coverage options.

Individual Health Insurance

An individual health insurance plan is a policy that you purchase for yourself. You can buy a plan through the private or public exchange, or directly from the insurance company. Plans allow married couples to join under one plan while still obtaining the individual policy status.

Under qualified plans, individuals can expect to pay these monthly premiums in Ohio (Age 40, Zip code 43002):

  • Single Adult

    Single adult

    $426
  • Married Couple

    Married Couple

    $852

Although Ohio’s market costs are dropping, many people still might find that the average premium costs for a qualified plan are too high. In those cases, residents have the option to look into non-qualified plans and short-term plans when necessary.

Family Health Insurance

A family health insurance plan is a policy that is intended to cover you, your spouse, and any dependents. Since social programs like Medicaid and Medicare don’t typically apply to families, you can likely only purchase a policy through the exchange or through your employer.

Under a qualified plan, the average monthly premiums for a family in Ohio are as follows (Age 40, Zip code 43002):

  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with one child

    $1,129
  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with two children

    $1,407
  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with three children

    $1,684

Although Ohio is one of the least expensive states to have family health insurance in, many families feel that the cost of a qualified plan is too expensive. If this sounds familiar, then you could also consider non-qualified plans, which are less expensive and only cover certain services that your family may need.

Short Term Health Insurance

Short-Term Health Insurance in Ohio

Short-term health insurance is one of the easiest things to apply for. Intended to act as a bridge when finding more permanent coverage, short-term coverage can help cover any costs of an unexpected accident, illness or emergency.

However, short-term health insurance laws vary by state. In Ohio you can only qualify for short-term coverage for up to 12 months (364 days). If you still need coverage after 12 months, you will need to purchase a new 12 month policy.

Find the Right Plan Today

No matter how much research you do, finding the right policy for you or your family can be an overwhelming process. But instead of rummaging through dozens of options through a healthcare provider, take the time to try iHealth Agents. As an affordable exchange with dozens of qualified and non-qualified options, you can easily search through desired plans that are perfect for you and the whole family. Start your search today.