Ohio Department of Insurance
The Ohio Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Ohio, including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Department of Insurance can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Ohio. You can search for a company by name or print out a list of companies in .pdf or Excel format.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Department of Insurance. Find out more about the consumer complaint process, including whether you should first file an appeal. If you are sure you are ready to file a complaint, you can go directly to the complaint form. You can also find more information on filing a complaint here.
Ohio Department of Insurance
50 W. Town Street, Suite 300, Third Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 644-2658
Consumer Hotline: (800) 686-1526
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees; for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan, because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Cincinnati Regional Office
1885 Dixie Highway, Suite 210
Ft. Wright, KY 41011-2664
Joseph Menez - Director
Phone: (859) 578-4680
Fax: (859) 578-4688
Buying Individual Policies in Ohio
As a general rule, insurers in Ohio are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status; however, HMOs in Ohio have "open enrollment" periods each year. During these open enrollment periods, you cannot be turned down for coverage, because you have a pre-existing health condition. You must live in the HMO's coverage area to apply. Contact the Department of Insurance for more information. You may also qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy HMO coverage at any time during the year. If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Ohio Department of Insurance can help you find out.
Healthy Start: The State Children's Health Insurance Program
Healthy Start provides health insurance coverage for children whose family income meets certain income guidelines.
Healthy Start
Phone: (800) 324-8680
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP)
OSHIIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit or Medigap coverage.
OSHIIP
50 West Town St., Suite 300, Third Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (800) 686-1578
Ohio Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19, who meet certain income requirements, may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind and disabled individuals.
Ohio Medicaid
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
30 E. Broad Street, 32nd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-2100 or (877) 852-0010
