Ohio Short Term Health Insurance – Safety Net for Laid-off Workers

Ohio short term health insurance is a great option for unemployed persons as it offers coverage for unexpected catastrophes. Short term health plans are assuming great significance in these financially challenging times. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2011 saw employers taking 1579 mass layoff actions, displacing 145.000 workers. Since the economic downturn, the number of workers filing for unemployment insurance has been rising. Things have been made worse with COBRA subsidies coming to a close on August 31, 2011. COBRA subsidies were a federal stimulus package to help laid-off workers continue their health care coverage. The end of these subsidies means higher health insurance expenses for those who lose their jobs.

If you are an Ohioan and between jobs, it’s possible to tide over these challenges by applying for a short term health insurance plan. Leading health insurance providers offer several options that provide a practical safety net for laid-off workers.

Short Term Health Insurance Ohio – Features

Short-term Ohio health insurance can help a person who is laid off get temporary health insurance coverage till he/she finds another job. It is different from other types of health insurance. The main features of short-term health insurance are:

•    Quick – The plans are simple and easy to apply for and coverage starts almost immediately.

•    Good basic coverage – Many short-term plans offer coverage that is almost similar to traditional plans. Doctor’s office visits, hospital charges, and emergency care are usually covered while prescription drug coverage is offered for an accident or illness that occurs during the plan period. This makes them a good safety net for the unemployed.

•    Limited underwriting – It is easy to qualify for Ohio short term health insurance plans as they involve only a few underwriting questions such as whether the applicant has a heart condition, diabetes, and so on.

•    Period of coverage – The period of coverage that a short term plan offers could be as few as 30 days or for as long as 12 months.

•    Competitively priced – Leading providers offer short-term plans that are competitively priced and come with attractive copays. Choices range from plans with low premiums and high deductibles, to those that have low deductibles, but a higher monthly cost.

Points to Note

•    The expenses for the treatment or cost of medication or pre-existing conditions are usually not covered in short-term plans. With recent reform, short term Ohio health insurance will exclude preventative benefits such as a physical or immunizations.

•    Short term medical insurance is non-renewable. Once a plan ends, you have to apply afresh.

Make an Informed Choice

Besides those between jobs, Ohio short term health insurance plans provide a safety net for many – part-time employees, divorcees who lose coverage under a spouse plan, early retirees and recent graduates who are no longer on a parent’s plan. There are many different kinds of short term policies in the market. To make an informed choice, get informed and knowledgeable advice from an established Ohio health insurance agent.

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Choosing a Suitable Ohio Short Term Health Insurance Plan

Short term health coverage is meant for people who are looking for temporary medical insurance for periods ranging from one to eleven months. You should consider a short term health plan if you are:

•    Between jobs
•    New employees waiting for coverage to begin at the work place
•    Part-time, temporary or seasonal workers
•    A new school graduate who is not on a parent’s health plan
•    Early retirees

Leading health insurance providers offer Ohio short term health insurance plans. However, choosing a suitable plan involves comparing offerings and signing up for one that offers reliable coverage.

Ohio Short Term Health Insurance Plans – A Comparison of Features

Well-known health insurance companies offer short-term plans with various kinds of benefits.

•    Most Ohio medical insurance carriers offer short-term plans that have features similar to traditional health insurance. Some of the short-term health insurance providers give complete coverage along with co-pays for doctor visits. Though the plans are expensive, most people like to have their office visits paid for with a co-pay rather than meet a high deductible first.

•    You even have a choice of short-term co-pay, value plans and plus plans. The co-pay plan offers convenient, predictable co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions. There are certain policies that come with a fixed deductible and coinsurance for the coverage period, offers more coverage than a value plan, and is ideal for covering predictable out-of-pocket expenses. It may be less expensive and feature a new deductible for each illness or injury.

•    With a limited number of underwriting questions, most Ohio health plans are comparatively easy to qualify for. The short term health insurance Ohio plans come with low premiums and coverage can begin the same day.

•    Certain plans are known for their flexibility and include prescription drug coverage. The application process is quick and simple, and coverage can start next day. In Ohio, the health insurance network is stronger in places such as Cincinnati and Dayton.

•    A recognized leader in health insurance throughout the United States offers competitively priced short-term health insurance plans which allow you to see any hospital in any state.

Getting the Right Short Term Health Coverage

Going without health coverage is dangerous, however young and healthy you may be. So choose to be covered at all times. Things you need to consider when buying a short term health insurance Ohio Plan are:

•    Does the coverage offered meet your needs, however temporary they may be?
•    Is the plan affordable – this is especially important if you are a student or unemployed?
•    What are the terms of the policy?
•    Is coverage easy to apply for and obtain?

Consulting a reliable health insurance broker is the best way to understand short-term health insurance plans, compare features and choose the right one.

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