More Ohio Health Insurance Options Regarding Job Loss

Purchasing an individual plan from any health insurer

The rules for buying your own policy from the individual health insurance market depend on whether you are a federally eligible individual, or FEI.

If you qualify as an FEI

• No insurance company offering individual coverage can reject your application for the Basic or Standard plan because of your health status.
• Pre-existing conditions cannot be excluded.
• Conversion is an option. Your former employer's insurance company must accept your application to convert your group coverage to an individual plan. However, any other insurer can reject your application if the plan has reached its open enrollment limit.

If you do not qualify as an FEI

• Open enrollment may be an option. Ohio insurers must hold open enrollment to give individuals who do not qualify for FEI status an opportunity to purchase health insurance.
• You cannot be rejected due to poor health, but the policy may be underwritten.
• However, any insurer can reject your application if the plan has reached its open enrollment limit.

I'm leaving a company that self-insured. What are my rights and options to secure health insurance?

Your options will generally include temporary continuation of the group benefits (see COBRA, page 17), or purchasing individual coverage on your own. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor with questions: 1-866-487-2365.

I have been fired and no longer have health insurance. What are my options?

If you have been fired because of gross misconduct -- and are not eligible for unemployment -- continuation of group health insurance coverage is not an option. See "Purchasing an individual plan from any health insurer" (above) for details about your options for individual coverage.

I've checked out the premiums and I truly cannot afford health insurance right now. What else can I 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.