More Information on Ohio Health Insurance for Families

My dependent children are full-time students. Are they still covered under my plan?

Usually, full-time students between the ages of 19 and 23 are covered by their parents' health plan. If your child attends an out-of-state college and your plan requires you to use a network, you may need to ind your child a separate health plan for coverage other than emergency care. Ask the plan if it has a network your student can use in the other state. If not, look for coverage by working through the school or an insurance company authorized in that state.

I've heard of a program called SCHIP. Can my kids qualify?

SCHIP stands for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, a federal and state initiative to provide financial assistance to families who do not qualify for Medicaid. For more information, please visit the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services at www.jfs.ohio.gov or call 1-800-324-8680.

My agent talked with me about disability insurance. Is it a good idea to buy a policy?

That's a decision only you can make. If a working parent becomes disabled and the family loses income it may be dificult to manage. Weigh the cost you'd have to pay for disability insurance against the protection it provides.

If you are married and both spouses work and contribute to the household income, consider disability insurance for both. Think about having only one salary coming in and plan accordingly.

My family is maturing. Are there good reasons to adjust my coverage?

If you have employer-sponsored coverage, you may want to consider annually whether to alter elections or eliminate certain types of coverage that you may no longer need.

Ask your employer about making changes to your coverage. Some group policies will not permit you to make any adjustments.

• If you have young children, you may want preventive care beneits that include providing shots and "well visits" for the kids.
• If you've decided not to have more children, you may no longer want a policy that covers pregnancy-related services.
• Plans offered through health discount cards may be an option, but they are not health insurance. Used properly, discount cards will save you money when you receive health services from certain doctors, dentists and other providers. Carefully research any discount card you consider. Discount cards cost less to have than insurance, but they provide only a discount on services; they do not pay for services. Having a discount card does not qualify as creditable coverage.
• Know your rights on keeping health insurance. If you lose your job, change jobs or decide to start your own business, know the available options to keep your family covered.
• You may want to consider whether long-term care insurance makes sense for you. You may want a certified financial planner to help you weigh your options regarding long-term care insurance.