Health Insurance for Ohio Retirees
The
Ohio Department of Insurance through its Ohio Senior
Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) is the state’s lead educational program to explain health coverage options available to Ohio retirees whose benefits have been reduced or terminated by their former employer.
Companies can decide to reduce or terminate retiree
health benefits as a cost-cutting measure for different reasons, such as a difficult economic environment. Some companies may hire insurance agencies to help their retirees shop for other coverage options. However, such agencies may not be able to shop all of the available Medicare products because of sales agreements with the insurance companies they represent. These agencies may send information to retirees via mail and hold local informational sessions.
The Department’s OSHIIP program provides free and unbiased
health coverage information through trained representatives. Representatives can help retirees sort through every coverage option on the market to identify the one that best fits their healthcare needs and financial situation. Options for retirees who have lost employer-provided coverage can include: Original Medicare, a Medicare supplement plan, a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, a Medicare Advantage Plan, private insurance or paying all healthcare costs themselves.