Medicare Health Insurance Information for Ohio Families

What if I retire or get laid off before I turn age 65? Will I be eligible for Medicare?

Medicare covers people who have paid into the system for a specific period of time. Others may purchase coverage. You must be at least age 65 to qualify or be under age 65 with certain disabilities. People who retire or lose employer coverage before age 65 should consider buying a health plan to cover the period of time before they qualify for Medicare.

If you are planning to retire early, talk with your employer's human resources staff. Find out if you are eligible for health insurance in the employer plan under one of the methods established by law to help you stay covered (COBRA, continuation or conversion). See pages 16-19.

Your premium will be more expensive than when you worked. In addition, the employer can renegotiate its group health insurance contract at any time, which can cause changes to your premium or terminate the coverage. However, you are more likely to get a better rate in the employer plan than if you have individual coverage.

If your COBRA benefits run out and you're still not yet eligible for Medicare, you may want to consider a conversion policy.

We've priced available plans and our family truly cannot afford health insurance right now. What else can we do?

You may want to consider applying for financial assistance. One possible option is Ohio's Medicaid program.

Medicaid provides basic health care services for people with limited incomes and children or disabilities. The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services administers Medicaid. Apply at your local county Department of Job & Family Services or call the Ohio Medicaid hotline for information: 1-800-324-8680.