Ohio Health Insurance Guide

From the shores of Lake Erie to vibrant cities and expansive farmland, Ohio remains a desirable place to live — and understanding your health insurance options here is key to protecting your health and finances.

As of 2025, the uninsured rate in Ohio reflects continued access improvements through Medicaid expansion and steady ACA enrollment. If you’re currently without coverage, here’s what you need to know about getting insured in Ohio.

Health Insurance Options in Ohio

Ohio offers a range of health insurance options tailored to residents’ needs, depending on age, income, employment, and family size. Here are the most common coverage types available:

Employer-Sponsored Insurance

Many Ohio residents receive health insurance through their employer. If your workplace offers coverage, this is usually the most cost-effective and convenient option.

ACA Marketplace Plans

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows individuals and families to buy health insurance through federal or state Marketplaces. These plans offer essential health benefits, free preventive care, and protection for preexisting conditions.

If you don’t have employer coverage, you may qualify for subsidies to lower your premiums. Use our ACA Subsidy Calculator to check your eligibility.

Starting this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requiring income verification to confirm eligibility for premium subsidies.

ACA Plan Types

ACA marketplace plans are available in four tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier offers varying levels of monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs:

• Bronze: Lowest premiums, highest out-of-pocket costs.
• Silver: Moderate balance between premium and coverage; eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs).
• Gold: Higher premiums with lower out-of-pocket expenses.
• Platinum (if available): Highest premiums, lowest out-of-pocket costs.

Metal Tier Breakdown:

Medicaid

Ohio’s Medicaid program provides free or low-cost coverage for eligible low-income residents. Medicaid plan benefits typically include preventive care, hospital visits, mental health services, prescriptions, and more. Ohio also expanded Medicaid to cover adults without dependents, which has contributed to lower uninsured rates across the state.

Short-Term Plans

Short-term medical (STM) plans offer temporary health coverage and can be a practical solution for individuals who are between jobs, recently lost employer coverage, waiting for ACA or Medicare eligibility, or need affordable protection during a coverage gap.

STM plans are available in Ohio for up to 364 days. These plans follow federal guidelines but are not regulated by the ACA. They may not cover pre-existing conditions and typically exclude benefits such as maternity care, mental health treatment, and preventive services.

While short-term medical plans are not a substitute for long-term health insurance, they may be ideal in situations where you’re temporarily uninsured—such as after job loss or before new coverage begins—and want short-term protection from unexpected medical events.

STM Plan Enrollment

Unlike ACA-compliant plans, you can enroll in short-term health plans year-round.

Quick Coverage Start: Many short-term plans can begin as soon as the next day after your application is approved.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Known as Ohio CHIP, this program offers coverage to children and pregnant women in families who earn too much for Medicaid but still need affordable insurance. CHIP is administered through the Ohio Department of Medicaid and covers a wide range of child health services.

Student Health Insurance

College students in any state have multiple health insurance options, including staying on a parent’s plan until age 26, enrolling in a school-sponsored plan, or applying for coverage through the ACA Marketplace. Depending on your income and location, you may also qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or low-cost catastrophic or short-term plans—making Ohio student health insurance accessible and flexible for a wide range of needs.

Medicare

Medicare plans are available for residents aged 65+ and younger individuals with qualifying disabilities. Options include:

• Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C): Offered by private insurers, these plans include Parts A and B and often additional benefits like dental or vision.
• Medicare Part D: Prescription drug plans that can be paired with Original Medicare.
• Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap): Help pay out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

COBRA Coverage

If you’ve recently lost job-based insurance, COBRA allows you to temporarily continue your employer-sponsored health plan. This may provide a helpful bridge while you secure new long-term coverage.

Enrollment Periods in Ohio

• Open Enrollment for 2026 Coverage: November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  During this period, you can apply for, renew, or change your ACA Marketplace plan through the federal exchange at HealthCare.gov.
• Special Enrollment Period: Available year-round for qualifying life events, such as:
  • Loss of coverage
  • Marriage or divorce
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Relocation
  • Major change in income
    See all qualifying life events.

You generally have 60 days from the date of the event to enroll.

Health Insurance Providers in Ohio

As of 2025, these insurers typically offer individual and family health insurance plans through the federal Marketplace:

• AultCare Insurance Company
• Buckeye Health Plan
• CareSource
• Community Insurance Company (Anthem)
• Medical Mutual
• Molina Healthcare of Ohio
• Oscar Health
• Paramount Insurance
• SummaCare

Plan availability varies by location. Some carriers may also offer off-marketplace or standardized plans depending on regional demand and provider networks.

Understanding Health Insurance Costs

When selecting a plan, be sure to understand these common cost terms:

• Premium: The monthly payment to keep your insurance active.
• Deductible: The amount you pay before your insurance starts covering services.
• Copayment (Copay): A fixed amount for services like doctor visits.
• Coinsurance: The percentage you pay after meeting your deductible.
• Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most you’ll pay in a year for covered services.
• In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: Using in-network providers generally costs less.

Learn more with this helpful glossary of health insurance terms.

Bottom Line

Health insurance in Ohio comes with many options—whether through an employer, the ACA Marketplace, Medicaid, or Medicare. By understanding your choices and enrolling during the appropriate period, you can get the coverage that meets your needs and budget.

Need help choosing a plan? Use our ACA Subsidy Calculator to explore your eligibility for ACA financial aid or speak with a licensed agent for expert guidance.