Ohio Medicare Plans & Local Agent Finder

Did you know there are more than 2.3 million beneficiaries are enrolled in Ohio Medicare?

We are here to help you enroll in the plan that is best for your specific needs and budget. Medicare plans can vary by state, county, and zip code. Medicare Plan Finder is your best source for understanding the confusing world of Medicare by getting local agent support.

Click below to learn more about Ohio Medicare:

• What does Ohio Medicare Cover?
• What is the Cost of Ohio Medicare?
• Ohio Medicare Eligibility
• How do I sign up for OH Medicare?
• Can I Have Medicare and Medicaid in Ohio?
• Types of Ohio Medicare Plans
• Medicare Supplements Ohio
• Medicare Advantage Ohio

Why Work With a Local Medicare Insurance Agent in Ohio?

If you live in Ohio, you have a lot of choices when it comes to Medicare. The challenge is figuring out which coverage options actually make sense for you.

Medicare can be very local. The Medicare Advantage plans, insurance companies, provider networks, and prescription drug plans available to someone in Cleveland may look different from the options available in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Akron, or a smaller Ohio community.

That is where working with a local Medicare insurance agent can really help.

Our job as Medicare insurance agents is not to tell every Ohio Medicare beneficiary to choose the same plan. It is to help you understand your Medicare coverage options and find coverage that fits your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and healthcare needs.

For some people, that may mean staying with Original Medicare and adding a Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D plan. For others, it may mean comparing Medicare Advantage plans offered by private insurance companies in their county.

A licensed Medicare agent in Ohio can help you:

• Compare plans and coverage options from multiple insurance companies serving your county
• Review provider networks to see if your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals participate
• Compare prescription drug plans and formularies based on the medications you take
• Understand your monthly premium, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket costs
• Explain how Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D work
• Compare Medigap plans and Medicare Supplement insurance plans
• Review important enrollment deadlines, including Medicare Open Enrollment and special enrollment periods
• Look at whether you may be eligible for programs that can help with certain Medicare costs
• Review your Medicare coverage each year as your health needs, prescriptions, and available plans change

Medicare Help Available to Ohio Residents

Some Ohio Medicare beneficiaries may also qualify for Ohio Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program. Depending on your eligibility, these programs may help with your Medicare Part B premium and certain other Medicare costs.

If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, understanding how the two programs work together can be especially important when comparing your coverage options.

Ohio residents can also get free, unbiased Medicare information and counseling through the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP). OSHIIP is Ohio’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and helps Medicare beneficiaries understand Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement insurance, prescription drug coverage, enrollment, and programs that may help with Medicare costs.

Having a Local Medicare Expert Matters

One of the biggest advantages of working with independent Medicare insurance agents or a Medicare broker is having someone you can actually call when you have a question.

Your plan can change. Your prescriptions can change. Provider networks can change. Insurance companies can change their benefits and costs from one year to the next.

That local knowledge can be particularly useful in Ohio, where healthcare systems and provider networks can vary considerably between Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and the state’s smaller communities.

Your Medicare coverage should not be something you choose once and forget about.

Working with a local Medicare insurance agent in Ohio gives you someone who understands the Medicare market where you live and can help you compare your options as your needs change.

What Does Ohio Medicare Cover?

The first step to understanding Ohio Medicare is understanding Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Original Medicare is regulated by the government and is the same regardless of which state you live in. Once you have enrolled in Part A and B, you can choose to add a prescription drug plan (Part D) or enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Supplement Plan. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans add health benefits like vision, hearing, or dental coverage whereas Medicare Supplements (Medigap plans) add financial benefits like coverage for copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Different Part D, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement plans are offered in every state.

What is the Cost of Ohio Medicare?

The cost of Ohio Medicare will depend on which plan and carrier you enroll with. If you have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 39 quarters, you will not have to pay a premium for Part A. If you worked and paid taxes for 30-39 quarters, you will have to pay $240* per month. Lastly, if you have worked and paid taxes for less than 30 quarters, you will pay $437* per month.

Your Part B premium will vary based on your income but is $135.50 per month for most Medicare-enrollees in 2019. Monthly premiums for Part D (prescription drug), Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement plans will vary based on plan, carrier, and location. A licensed agent can help you determine the costs specific to your income and area.

*These prices are true for 2019 but are subject to change each year.

Ohio Medicare Eligibility

Medicare was designed for older adults over the age of 65, but aging-in is not the only way to qualify. If you have been diagnosed with ESRD (end-stage renal disease) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), you may be eligible for Medicare regardless of your age. Plus, if you have been receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) for more than 24 months, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare on your 25th month of receiving benefits.

How do I Sign up for OH Medicare?

There are three main places where you can start your Medicare enrollment process through Social Security. You can visit www.SocialSecurity.gov, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM, or apply in person at your local Social Security office.

Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare, our agents throughout Ohio can come to your home and help you find the best plan for your specific needs and budget. They can help determine if a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan is right for you. To start enrolling in Ohio Medicare, give us a call at (833) 567-3163.

Can I Have Medicare and Medicaid in Ohio?

Medicare and Medicaid are often confused and used interchangeably, however, they are two very different programs. They are both operated by the government, but, Medicaid is intended for low-income individuals and families while Medicare is intended for seniors and people with certain disabilities regardless of income.

It is possible to qualify for both programs. If you do, you will most likely qualify for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNP). A DSNP is a special type of Medicare Advantage plan that provides extra benefits and lower costs. If you qualify for a DSNP, you will have a Special Enrollment Period. A SEP gives you the flexibility to enroll outside of the Annual Enrollment Period. Plus, you may even qualify for Extra Help which is a Medicare prescription drugs program, or other Medicare Savings Programs.

Types of Ohio Medicare Plans

Once you have enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and B), you need to consider prescription drug coverage to avoid a late-enrollment penalty. You can get this coverage through a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan. You may be able to get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Supplement plan, but this is rare.

Medicare Supplements in Ohio

Ohio Medicare Supplements are organized by letter (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N). Each letter ranges in price and represents a different type of coverage. These plans work alongside Original Medicare and help pay for coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. You cannot be enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements at the same time. Medicare Supplements are generally the same regardless of which carrier you enroll in, but pricing will vary based on carrier, zip code, age, gender, and tobacco use. Even though plans are generally the same, you can easily overpay if you don’t do your research. Our agents at Medicare Plan Finder can help you enroll in the best plan at the best rate. To schedule an appointment, fill out this form or call us at (833) 567-3163.

Ohio Medicare Advantage Plans

Ohio is a very robust state in terms of Medicare Advantage plans. There are more than 15 plans available in every county, with some counties offering more than 60 plan options! These plans cover, at a minimum, the same as Original Medicare. However, most plans offer several additional benefits like hearing, vision, or dental coverage, non-emergency transportation, OTC drug allowance, and group fitness classes like SilverSneakers. They are operated by private insurance companies, but pricing will vary based on provider, location, and benefits. As always, it’s best to speak with a licensed agent who can help you enroll in a plan that is specific to your needs. To schedule an appointment, fill out this form or call us at (833) 567-3163.

Medicare plan finder offers a national directory of Medicare information including access to find local agents certified for Medicare.