Ohio Health Insurance
Find the right health insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
Over the past twenty years, more and more Americans have been finding themselves without health insurance coverage. In 2008, more than 2.8 million Ohio residents, or 28.8 percent of the state’s population, lacked health insurance for at least part of the year. With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which will go into effect in 2014, the uninsured in this state will need to purchase a healthcare policy.
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Ohio 2007 Health Snapshot
- About 40% of all adults have been diagnosed with high cholesterol
- Approximately 28% of all adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
- About 32% of all adults in this state have been diagnosed with arthritis
- An estimated 8% of all state residents have been diagnosed with diabetes
- About 23% of all Ohio deaths in 2005 were caused by cancer
- In 2007, 59,220 Ohio residents received a new cancer diagnosis
- Of those, 6,410 were colorectal cancer and 6,710 were breast cancer
A majority of Ohio residents suffer from one or more chronic diseases. Every year, many new cases of colorectal and breast cancer are diagnosed in this state. Despite this, however, many residents forego screening tests that allow for early detection due to their lack of health insurance coverage. This is unfortunate, when these tests can save lives and reduce the overall cost of treatment through early detection.
The earlier chronic diseases and cancer are detected, the more likely they are to be successfully treated. Routine, age-appropriate testing such as colonoscopies and mammograms are very effective at identifying the presence of cancers at their earliest stages. They make up a system of preventive health-care that has been proven to save lives and result in less-expensive treatments. Nearly all health insurance plans provide full coverage for preventive care.
Ohio Health Risk Factors
- Approximately 23% of adults and 22% of high school students reported that they were smokers
- About 64% of adults and 15% of high school students in this state are overweight
- An estimated 85% of adults and 79% of high school students eat fewer than 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day
- 23% of Ohio women over the age of 40 state they have not had a mammogram in the past 2 years
- 43% of OH adults over 50 have never had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Ohio residents who lack healthcare coverage often try to save money by avoiding medical examinations unless they feel it is absolutely necessary. Often, by the time their health concerns warrant a visit to the doctor, they have escalated to the point that invasive and expensive treatment is necessary.
Annual physicals, including blood-pressure screening and routine blood-work, have been demonstrated to increase patients’ longevity. During such visits, your doctor can educate you about your health risks so that you might make lifestyle changes that can lead to a longer, healthier life. With an Ohio health insurance policy in place, you can have the benefits of preventive care without worrying about costs.
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Major Illnesses Can Bring Excessive Costs to Ohio Residents
For people dealing with serious health concerns such as cancer, heart disease or the after-effects of a stroke, the costs can be overwhelming and unmanageable. Cancer patients spend an average of $1,500 a month on medications alone, and if you end up in the ICU for any reason, you can expect to pay as much as $7,000 a day for this treatment.
Approximately half of all bankruptcy filings in this country are the result of overwhelming medical bills. In 2011, more than 58,000 Ohio residents filed for bankruptcy. In many cases, this devastating financial hardship could have been avoided by having Ohio health insurance coverage and getting routine preventive care.
How Can You Find Affordable Ohio Health Insurance?
You may be under the impression that Ohio health-care coverage is too expensive to purchase, and in recent years, this has likely been true. However, thanks to the Affordable Healthcare Act, Ohio residents who do not qualify for coverage through their employer, spouse or Medicare/Medicaid can take advantage of low group rates when they purchase a policy through the Ohio healthcare exchange or online marketplace. Rates are based on age and income and allow those most in need of assistance to purchase their policies at the lowest rates.
A Trusted Choice network agent can help you understand your healthcare options and recommend a health insurance plan that fits your coverage and budgetary needs. Contact a member agent in your neighborhood now, and compare Ohio health insurance quotes, to start taking advantage of the benefits of preventive care.