11 Most FAQs About Health Insurance Ohio and the Health Care Reform

Mar 30
11:46

2012

Tracy Mc Manamon

Tracy Mc Manamon

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Most people are unsure how health reform will affect health insurance in Ohio. This article provides answers to some common FAQ’s

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Health insurance Ohio has been changing drastically in the last couple years,11 Most FAQs About Health Insurance Ohio and the Health Care Reform Articles and is going to continue to change until 2014, when most of the changes will be put into full effect.  Many people have a lot of questions and concerns about the upcoming changes so I would like to help you understand what changes are coming and how you can be an informed individual when buying health insurance. 1. “Now that health care reform has passed, am I automatically covered?” No, unfortunately it is not that easy. You are not automatically signed up for health insurance. You need to either contact an insurance broker to help you find an affordable plan, or once the health exchange program comes out through the government, you will be able to purchase your plan through their website. 2. “Am I required to have health insurance?” Once the health care reform is put into full effect in 2014 you will be required to have health insurance, whether it is a plan through your work, an individual plan that you purchased, or Medicaid assistance through the government. 3. “If I do not buy health insurance Ohio by 2014, will I go to jail?” Thankfully, no comments have been made that anyone will go to jail if they do not have health insurance by 2014. If you do not purchase health insurance by then though, you will be forced to pay a penalty through your taxes. 4. “I’ve been denied insurance because I have a pre-existing condition. Can I get coverage now?” Great news, if you have been denied coverage before, in 2014 you will no longer be able to be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition 5. “My neighbor’s insurance was cancelled because of a mistake on his application. Can that happen to me?” It is unfortunate that this situation had to happen to your neighbor. Since 2010 though, insurance companies cannot take away your health insurance because of an error on your application. 6. “My child has been denied coverage. Can I get her insured now?” Your child was probably denied health insurance Ohio because of her health condition, but you can now put her on a child only plan. Some insurance companies actually have a small amount of time that they accept all child-only applications and will not deny any child. 7. “Can I sign up for free health insurance?” In a perfect world free health insurance would be an option, but, unfortunately in this world, there is no such thing. If you are having trouble paying your premium you can sign up for Medicaid. If you are accepted for Medicaid the government will help you pay for insurance. The government will not be able to ever cover the your entire premium though. 8. “I like the health insurance I have now. Can I just keep it?”  In most cases, yes, you should be able to keep the health insurance you have. You will be notified if the insurance company you have changes your plan and the premium is going to be higher. 9. “Is Health Insurance Cheaper now?” There is no guarantee that health insurance is cheaper. Unfortunately we will probably see it rise before it goes down. You can be certain though that your money is being put to good use, because insurance companies are now being forced to spend 80-85% of your premium “on medical care and heath care quality improvements”. 10. “My current policy has a lifetime limit on the amount it pays. Will insurers be able to keep imposing those limits?” Although it may be a little different if you are on a group plan, all individual plans for health insurance Ohio “cannot include a lifetime limit on insurance coverage for essential health services”. 11. “My kid just graduated college and does not have insurance can I get him back on my policy?” As long as your child is under the age of 26 then yes you will be able to put him back on your policy. The exception though is if he gets a job that offers him health insurance. If he works for a company that offers him health insurance Ohio he will not be able to go back on your plan. Take the time to look over the changes in health care reform. By doing so, you and your family will be ready for the changes to come. Continue to research the topic if you still have questions, so that you can be sure to get the most affordable health insurance Ohio available.