What type of health insurance is available for people with chronic medical conditions?

Question

i.e. cancer, leukemia etc. I am located in Ohio.

Answer 1

Actually, Ohio does have an insurance option for people who aren't able to obtain health insurance any other way.  Open enrollment occurs on an annual basis - the department of insurance will be able to tell you when the enrollment periods are.  (http://www.ohioinsurance.gov/Forms/ins90... - some basic info on HMO Open Enrollment )

However, keep in mind that these plans are *very* expensive.  I used to work for a large insurer that participated in the program, and our plans averaged about $2,000 a month for an individual person.  (That was about 2 years ago - I'm sure the premiums have went up since then.)

Contact the Ohio Department of Insurance and ask for information about HMO Open Enrollment - they will be able to tell you which insurers are participating this year, when each insurer's enrollment deadlines are, the contact information to find out premiums, and also help you determine whether you qualify for the program - there are rules, which basically amount to you not being eligible for any other sort of coverage.  (Also, watch your local newspaper - each insurer is required to advertise Open Enrollment and also publish the current rates/deadlines, etc.)

Answer 2

Unless the person can get on an employer based group policy, there is no insurance company that will issue coverage.

Your only option otherwise woud be to try and apply for medicaid although to qualify the person would have to meet the same disability requirements as required for Social Security Disability.

http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/whoqua...

There is no high risk policy available in Ohio. But I did find this pamphlet that may have some info that could help, if you recently had a policy through an employer. If you were covered for at least 18 months on an employers group policy, used up all COBRA coverage and had no gap of more than 63 days inbetween, you would be eligible to get an individual policy with no pre-existing limitations under HIPAA laws.

http://covertheuninsured.org/stateguides...

Answer 3

sarah has the best and most accurate answer of all times.  In Indiana we have the same thing called ICHIA.