Best Medicaid Insurance In Ohio: Top Plans Compared

what is the best medicaid insurance in Ohio

Medicaid health care coverage is available for eligible Ohioans with low income, pregnant women, infants and children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. Buckeye Health Plan and CareSource are two of the most popular Medicaid plans in Ohio. Buckeye Health Plan was rated the best Medicaid Health Plan for quality performance by the Ohio Department of Medicaid in 2018. CareSource is the most chosen plan for Medicaid in Ohio, with over 1.4 million members.

Characteristics Values
Top Rated Medicaid Health Plan for Quality Performance Buckeye Health Plan
Best Medicaid Health Plan for Children's Health Buckeye Health Plan
Best Medicaid Health Plan for Provider Communication and Service Buckeye Health Plan
Most Popular Medicaid Plan in Ohio CareSource
Medicaid Plan with Access to a Large Provider Network CareSource
Medicaid Plan with Reward Programs CareSource
Medicaid Plan with Free Rides to Health Care Appointments CareSource
Medicaid Plan with No Copay for Any Medical or Behavioral Health Service CareSource

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Buckeye Health Plan

The Buckeye Health Plan website has a 'Find a Provider Tool' that allows users to search for primary care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare services. Buckeye is committed to helping its members improve and maintain their health. They also help with social needs that can impact health and well-being. Buckeye Health Plan provides quality healthcare, services, and resources for individuals and their loved ones.

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CareSource

One of the key advantages of CareSource is its personalized approach to healthcare. Members are paired with a personal life coach who can address needs beyond physical health, including the home, workplace, and community. CareSource also provides access to a large network of providers, reward programs like Kids First and Babies First®, free rides to healthcare appointments, and pharmacies. Additionally, there are no copays for any medical or behavioral health services.

For those eligible for both Medicare Parts A & B and Medicaid, CareSource offers the MyCare Ohio plan. This combined plan simplifies managing care by providing one point of contact and streamlining paperwork and phone calls. MyCare Ohio includes benefits such as transportation services, a 24-hour medical advice line, and a $100 quarterly allowance for over-the-counter items.

Overall, CareSource is a trusted and comprehensive Medicaid insurance option for Ohio residents, providing personalized care, extra perks, and coordinated support for both patients and caregivers.

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MyCare Ohio

One of the primary benefits of MyCare Ohio is the coordination of all services, including medical, behavioural, and long-term care. MyCare Ohio dual-benefits members only need to carry one medical coverage card, simplifying the process of navigating the healthcare system. The program also offers person-centred care, seamless care across services and settings, and easy navigation for members and providers.

The MyCare Ohio plan benefit package includes all the benefits available through traditional Medicare and Medicaid programs, such as long-term care services in the community, nursing facilities, and behavioural health services. Additionally, MyCare Ohio plans may offer supplemental 'value-added' benefits, such as additional transportation, over-the-counter allowances, member rewards, and other enhanced services.

In the counties where MyCare Ohio is available, there are currently five plans to choose from: Aetna Better Health of Ohio, Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Molina HealthCare, and United Healthcare Community Plan. If an eligible resident does not choose a plan, the Ohio Department of Medicaid will select one for them. Starting in January 2026, the Next Generation MyCare plans will expand to support Ohioans in all counties who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare coverage.

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OhioRISE

To be eligible for OhioRISE, individuals must meet specific criteria. They must be eligible for Ohio Medicaid (either managed care or fee-for-service), not be enrolled in a MyCare Ohio plan, and require significant behavioral health treatment. This can be determined through the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment, for which a referral is needed.

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Medicaid eligibility

Medicaid is a health care program aimed at low-income individuals and families. It provides healthcare benefits and long-term services to eligible applicants. In Ohio, persons who are found eligible for SSI are automatically approved for Medicaid.

There are varying Medicaid coverage groups, but the focus is on long-term care for Ohio residents aged 65 and older. There are three categories of Medicaid long-term care programs for which Ohio seniors may be eligible:

  • Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid: An entitlement where benefits are provided only in nursing homes. A single applicant in 2025 must have an income under $2,901 per month, assets under $2,000, and require a nursing home level of care.
  • Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): This is not an entitlement, and there is a limited number of participants. It is intended to delay and prevent nursing home admissions, with services provided at home, adult day care, or assisted living.
  • OhioRISE Program: This program provides a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioural health and multisystem needs.

Financial eligibility requirements for Medicaid change annually and vary based on marital status. For instance, when only one spouse applies for Regular Medicaid, the income of both spouses is calculated for the applicant's income eligibility, and there is no Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance for the non-applicant spouse.

Additionally, certain low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or aged 65 and above can enroll, but they must also have low asset/resource levels. Adults under 65 with a household income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, children with household incomes up to 211% of poverty, and pregnant women with household incomes up to 205% of poverty are eligible. Enrollment in Medicaid is year-round, and one can check their eligibility on the Ohio Benefits website.

Frequently asked questions

Medicaid insurance is a form of health insurance provided by the government for eligible Americans with low incomes, pregnant women, infants and children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.

CareSource is the most popular Medicaid insurance in Ohio, with over 1.4 million members. Buckeye Health Plan is also a good option, as it was rated the best Medicaid Health Plan for Quality Performance by the Ohio Department of Medicaid in 2018.

You can apply for Medicaid benefits through the Ohio Benefits website or by calling the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680.

Medicaid insurance in Ohio covers a range of healthcare services, including medical services, behavioural health services, prescription medications, and more.

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