Ohio Health Insurance

Ohio has fewer health insurance regulations than most states. Still, it's important to familiarize yourself with them, so you're more confident and wise in your purchase.

This guide:

  • Describes important Ohio health insurance policy regulations.

  • Lists rules Ohio health insurance companies must follow.

Health insurance policies are regulated by each state's own health insurance laws. Ohio health insurance companies and policyholders alike must abide by established insurance laws.

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Ohio health insurance policy provisions

Some of the most important Ohio health insurance laws are the ones that influence the health insurance policy specifically.

The most basic of these provisions is the guaranteed renewability provision. This clause makes your renewal of your Ohio health insurance policy a guarantee as long as all other parts of your contract have been honored.

Also, Ohio health insurance laws limit the use of pre-existing condition exclusion clause within your health insurance policy. Ohio health insurance policies can include a pre-existing condition exclusion period, however there are limits. The period of exclusion cannot last more than 12 months.

Ohio health insurance laws define pre-existing conditions as a condition you received medical treatment for or were diagnosed with in the 6 months prior to the beginning of the plan.

If you are switching Ohio health insurance policies and have had continuous coverage, your old coverage can be used to credit the pre-existing condition period of your new plan.

Finally, parents' individual Ohio health insurance policies that cover dependents also automatically cover newborns and adopted children for 31 days.

Regulating Ohio health insurance companies

Ohio health insurance laws are fairly strict in regulating the price and availability of health insurance, which benefits you greatly.

For instance, individual Ohio health insurance companies are required to have an 30 day open enrollment period during the year when any interested individual, regardless of health status, has the opportunity to purchase insurance.

Ohio health insurance companies must renew your health insurance policy at your request. Although your Ohio health insurance policy can be canceled for certain reasons, Ohio health insurance laws prohibit insurance companies from terminating your policy on the grounds of illness.

Temporary Ohio health insurance

Purchasing a temporary Ohio health insurance policy is advisable when you have breaks in coverage. A good option for temporary health insurance is a conversion policy.

You are eligible for a conversion policy if you have left a fully insured group policy and you have used up your COBRA continuation coverage. You also qualify for a conversion policy if you have lost insurance through the death of a spouse or if you are no longer covered as a dependent.

If you choose to purchase a conversion policy, you will not be required to meet a new pre-existing condition exclusion period.

Applications for a conversion policy must be received no later than 30 days after the end of your old Ohio health insurance policy.

More OH health insurance help

If you want more help getting the a good health insurance policy, read our guide to health insurance.

Also see the guide to Ohio small business health insurance.

To find out more about OH health insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website of the Ohio Department of Insurance.