Affordable Health Insurance In Ohio
If you live in Ohio and are in need of healthcare coverage, you may have somewhat of a challenge ahead of you. Finding quality Ohio health insurance in 2024, is not as simple as it may seem. The problem is, it can be quite difficult finding a knowledgeable
insurance professional that is willing to take the time to sort through the myriad of health plan choice that are available to you. And going it alone, in an increasingly confusing health plan marketplace, is a prescription for a potential disaster
The good news is, we are health plan experts with a wealth of experience. We are just a phone call away and are here to help.
There are a number of factors that you will want to consider when attempting to purchase that ideal health care plan for you or your family. The first item on your list should be which type of health plan should you consider - HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, etc.?
Are you looking for an Affordable Care Act plan, or are you looking for a wider range of options?
Good to know: Understand your budget. The average consumer spends around 5% of their annual income on health insurance premiums. Keep in mind, this doesn't take into account other expenses, such as deductibles or out of pocket costs. If the health care plan you are considering is priced significantly higher than 5% of your income, unless you're expecting an income increase in the very near future, you should consider choosing another plan.
Short Term Health Insurance
You may want to add short-term insurance to your list of options. Short-term insurance is not so short anymore. Thanks to new government guidelines, there are now short-term insurance policies in parts of the country that you can keep up to a year or more. In addition, the benefits of many of these short term policies have been significantly improved. While short term health insurance plans do not offer the comprehensive level of insurance coverage of an Affordable Care Act Health Insurance plan, the features and benefits are now more comparable. And short term health insurance plan pricing tends to be more affordable. In many cases, a short term health plan can be the ideal health insurance fit. Get an instant short term health insurance plan rate quote
Healthcare Sharing Plans
There are also healthcare sharing plans. Consumers are choosing healthcare sharing plans, (also known as faith based health plans), over traditional insurance in ever increasing numbers. A Healthcare sharing plan is not an insurance plan - at least not in the legal sense of the word. These plans are designed to meet the same needs as traditional health insurance. The difference is, these plans are not governed by the ACA (Affordable Care Act) rules and regulations. The result is an umbrella of health plan options that can offer a benefit structure that is different than what is available via an Affordable Care Act plan. These plans are noted by their flexibility and affordability. Get an instant Healthcare sharing plan rate quote
All of the above options are available in Ohio. You need only to choose which health plan option will best suit your needs. Because health insurance is such an important necessity, you should seek the assistance of a licensed insurance professional.
Good to know: Be up front about finances. Are you short on cash? Do you have a high insurance deductible? Don't be embarrassed to tell your doctor or dentist. He may be able to suggest less costly treatment options or even agree to lower fees. "Try to negotiate the fee you pay before or at the time you make your appointment and/or offer to pay cash," suggests Ruth Linden of Tree of Life Health Advocates. "Some physicians will agree to accept a reduced rate, if you inform them you are experiencing difficult financial circumstances." In fact, a Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive poll found that three out of five people who negotiated with their doctors received discounts.
courtesy of Parents.com
courtesy of Parents.com
Healthcare.gov
One of the simplest means of acquiring a health plan, is to purchase a plan on Healthcare.gov. To purchase a plan via Healthcare.gov, you will need to apply during the open enrollment period. This period is normally about a month and a half long, and occurs during the fall of every year. This is the only time you may enroll unless you qualify for enrollment due to special circumstances. If you fall within a certain specific income bracket, you may qualify for subsides, which are income-based discounts on the monthly premiums.
There are several health plan options that are available to you, that are not part of the Affordable Care Act portfolio. They include short-term health plans, (which are not so short anymore) and healthcare sharing plans, (Sometimes referred to as faith-based health plans).
After deciding on where you plan to purchase your health insurance, the next step is to decide which type of plan is best for you. These plan types include: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Exclusive Provider Organization, or a Point of Service Plan (POS), and more. The structures of the various plans can be quite different. Be sure to seek assistance from a licensed health insurance agent. The impact of purchasing the wrong plan can be emotionally and financially significant.
Good to know: Shop smart. When looking for insurance, the No. 1 priority should be to find adequate coverage. Price is important, but you'll want to determine the level of coverage that you need - first. Once you know that, then you can consider which plans to choose, as well as ways to work it into you budget. You may be tempted to choose the cheapest plan, but if you don't have sufficient insurance protection to meet your needs, well that's not much better than having no coverage at all.
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Once you have selected a plan type you desire, you should look at the size of the health care network and estimated out-of-pocket costs. An insurance plan summary will lay out how much you may likely pay out of pocket, for deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance, should you encounter a medical circumstance. Generally, the lower the premium the higher your out-of-pocket-costs.
The final step is to compare plan benefits with your family's specific medical needs. This consists of making sure that the plan provides for any needed medications, coverage during travel, and any reoccurring care required.
Other articles:
Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Finding Short-Term Health Insurance.
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