On July 1, 2010, the law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act PPACA) , allowing unmarried dependents up to the age of 28 to be added to their parent’s Ohio medical insurance. This means that an approximate 20,000 young adults will have access to health care, ultimately closing the gap for individuals who do not have dependent coverage in Ohio.
According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, Governor Strickland advises Ohioan parents to:
“…Inquire with their employer or Ohio medical insurance provider about the dependent age change.”
Prior to the national health care reform, now dubbed the PPACA–children and step children were covered up to the age of 19 or 23 (If they were full-time students) remain under a parents’ Ohio medical insurance policy.
With the new law in place, insurance agencies have to supply parents with the details pertaining to the availability of Ohio medical insurance coverage. Although insurance providers are required to extend coverage for single dependents, individuals as well as families are advised to compare the cost of adding or keeping dependents on a policy to the cost of an individual plan.
President of Ohio Life and Health, Michael Novelli advises Ohioans to do the following when comparing policies:
1) Obtain several Ohio health insurance quotes.
2) Compare the deductible of a family versus and individual deductible
3) Review the difference between the premiums for an individual policy for the monthly/annual cost of adding an independent to the family policy.
4) Remember to review policies based on the hospital and physician network, out-of-pocket expenses, co-insurance, co-payments and other pertinent medical care costs.
Seek free, unbiased, professional advice from a licensed Ohio medical insurance agent when you dial 800.522.5953.