Jeffrey Wade
Ohio residents can access government health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, commonly referred to as Obamacare. This federal program, accessible via HealthCare.gov, allows Ohioans to shop for, compare, and purchase individual and family health plans. The ACA Marketplace also offers financial assistance to eligible individuals and families based on income, reducing healthcare costs. Additionally, Ohio has its own health insurance programs, such as Medicaid, which provides low-cost or free health coverage, and the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIP), offering free health insurance information to Medicare enrollees.
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What You'll Learn
Ohio Medicaid
Eligible individuals and families can enroll in Ohio Medicaid through the Healthcare.gov platform, which allows users to shop, compare, and purchase health plans. Enrollment is also possible through the Ohio Benefits website, where residents can check eligibility and apply for various benefits. Additionally, individuals can apply for Medicaid by calling the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline or by visiting their local Department of Job and Family Services office.
For those who do not qualify for Ohio Medicaid, there are alternative options available. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides coverage for children who do not qualify for Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers Marketplace/exchange plans with financial assistance for eligible enrollees. These plans can be accessed through Healthcare.gov or by contacting HealthCare.gov's contact center.
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ACA Marketplace plans
In Ohio, ACA Marketplace plans, commonly referred to as Obamacare, are offered through HealthCare.gov, a federal website where individuals and families can shop for, compare, and buy health plans. ACA Marketplace plans are a good option for many Ohio residents, as most enrollees qualify for financial assistance with their coverage costs.
Ohio residents can use HealthCare.gov to enroll in ACA Marketplace plans, and the state operates a marketplace plan management exchange. This means that while the federal government manages the exchange, the state oversees and certifies qualified health plans (QHPs) for sale. For 2025, there are 13 insurers offering coverage in Ohio's exchange, including one new carrier. Plan availability varies from one area to another, but residents in most areas of Ohio can select from at least five insurers' plans.
Eligibility for financial assistance with ACA Marketplace plans in Ohio depends on income and how it compares with the cost of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in the area, which is influenced by age and location. To qualify for financial assistance, individuals must not have access to affordable health coverage through their employer, be ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP, and not be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A. Additionally, they must file a joint tax return if married and not be claimed as a tax dependent by someone else.
Ohio residents can sign up for ACA-compliant individual or family health insurance between November 1 and January 15 during the open enrollment period. Coverage starts on January 1 if enrollment is completed by December 15; otherwise, if applying between December 16 and January 15, coverage will begin on February 1. Outside of the annual open enrollment window, individuals may still be eligible to enroll if they experience a qualifying life event, such as giving birth or losing other health coverage.
Those seeking health insurance in Ohio can also explore other options, such as Medicaid, which provides low-cost or free health coverage, or private insurance plans offered by companies like Medical Mutual, which offers customized plans for individuals, families, seniors, and employees.
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Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIP)
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIP) offers free health insurance information to people on Medicare. OSHIP is located at 50 W. Town Street, Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43215. The phone number is $(800) 686-1578, and the website is https://insurance.ohio.gov/consumers/medicare/01-oship. The email address is [email protected].
If you are a veteran with questions or concerns about your healthcare benefits, you should contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs at (877) 222-VETS (8387) or https://www.va.gov/health-care/. If you have questions about your health insurance that are not covered by the above resources, you can contact the Health Insurance Assistance Team of the U.S. at (614) 644-2658 or (800) 686-1526.
If you are struggling to afford health coverage or want to know more about Medicaid eligibility or benefits, you can contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (Healthy Start) at (844) 640-6446 or http://benefits.ohio.gov. If you are not eligible for Medicaid, your child may still be eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program. For questions about eligibility or benefits, contact Healthy Start (Children's Health Insurance Program) at (844) 640-6446 or https://medicaid.ohio.gov.
If you have a question, complaint, or dispute regarding insurance you get through a "self-insured" employer, you can contact your local county office at https://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.pdf.
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Children's Health Insurance Program
In Ohio, the government-provided health insurance for children is called the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP. CHIP provides health coverage to children whose families have too high an income to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. CHIP is funded by the state and federal government and each state has its own rules about who qualifies for the program.
In Ohio, CHIP covers medical and dental care for uninsured children and teens up to the age of 19. The program is administered by the state's Department of Job and Family Services.
CHIP is available to eligible children year-round and provides comprehensive coverage, including routine "well child" doctor and dental visits. There may be a small fee for some covered health care services, but this is usually a fixed amount, such as $20, and is only payable after the deductible has been met. The maximum amount that families will pay for CHIP coverage is 5% of their annual income.
To apply for CHIP in Ohio, families can create an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace and fill out an application. If it looks like anyone in the household qualifies for CHIP, their information will be sent to the state agency, who will then contact them about enrollment.
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Health Insurance Assistance Team
The Health Insurance Assistance Team is a resource for those with questions about their health insurance in Ohio. The team can be contacted by calling the number (800) 686-1526. This service is especially useful for those who are struggling to afford health coverage or who want to know more about Medicaid eligibility and benefits.
Ohio does not operate a Consumer Assistance Program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, the consumer protections and benefits of the law still apply, and there are agencies that can help Ohio residents take advantage of these protections and benefits. For example, the Ohio Department of Insurance can answer questions about different types of coverage.
Ohio residents can use HealthCare.gov to shop for, compare, and buy individual and family health plans, as well as enroll in ACA Marketplace plans. ACA plans are commonly referred to as Obamacare, and most enrollees qualify for financial assistance with the cost of their Ohio Marketplace coverage. This financial assistance is based on income and how it compares with the cost of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in the resident's area.
For those who are not eligible for Medicaid, their children may still be eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Additionally, Ohio offers the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIP), which provides free health insurance information to people on Medicare. OSHIP can be contacted by calling (800) 686-1578 or emailing [email protected].
Ohio residents can also purchase private health insurance plans from companies such as Anthem and Medical Mutual. Anthem offers virtual care visits using the Sydney Health app, as well as a Smart Rewards program that lets customers earn rewards for completing health and wellness activities. Medical Mutual offers customized plans for individuals and families, as well as seniors and employees.
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Frequently asked questions
Ohio Medicaid. Eligible individuals and families can enroll in Medicaid, which provides low-cost or free health coverage.
You can enroll in Medicaid through HealthCare.gov or call (800) 318-2596.
HealthCare.gov is a federal website where you can shop, compare, and buy individual and family health plans, including ACA Marketplace/exchange plans, commonly referred to as Obamacare.
