Surviving in Ohio without Health Insurance Coverage

Surviving without health insurance

More than 12% of Ohioans (or over 1.3 million people) are uninsured today and that number continues to grow. Many Ohioans are also underinsured. Reasons Ohioans are uninsured include all or more of the following: cost, access and / or exclusion due to one or more health conditions.

Ohioans who lack adequate health coverage may ind help through certain Ohio organizations which provide services such as free or sliding scale clinics, community health centers, medications, supplies, preventative care classes and other networking information. Also, please contact the Ohio Family Coverage Coalition (http://www.uhcanohio.org/coalitions/amcovcoal.html) for a detailed brochure.

I am diabetic and, even though my income is limited, I don't qualify for Medicaid. Where can I get testing supplies, discounted medications or insulin?

You may want to try the following: explore Disability Medical Assistance (through the Ohio Association of Free Clinics, your local Department of Public Health and ODJFS); contact nonprofit associations such as the Central Ohio Diabetes Association (www.diabetesohio.org) or the Ohio United Way (www.ouw.org); and contact pharmaceutical companies directly to see if they have any prescription discount programs.

Where can I ind affordable prescriptions since I have no insurance?

The Columbus Public Health Department (614-645-6248) has compiled a list to help with prescription costs. Their list includes programs such as Prescription Access, Prescription for Good Health, Ohio's Best Rx, Rx for Ohio and Rx Outreach.

Check with your local health department about a similar list for your area (Association of Health Commissioners: 614-221-5994 or www.aohc.net).

What benefit do local chapters of associations (such as those dealing with cancer, diabetes, lung, kidney, etc.) have for uninsured or underinsured people?

Associations may provide you with resources (discount prescription information), services (access to doctors) or educational materials (nutritional classes) which may be subsidized or free. Check the association web sites or call them with questions. You can also get information on your local associations from the United Way of Ohio.

As a person with a limited income who doesn't qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, employer or individual coverage, where can I find adequate and affordable health care assistance?

You can get the brochure "Ohio Health Care Safety Net: A description of public and private programs" from the Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio (UHCAN Ohio) and the Ohio Family Coverage Coalition. Visit www.uhcanohio.org/coalitions/famcovcoal.html or call 1-800-634-4442.

In addition to providing details about Medicaid and Medicare, the brochure addresses issues about medical assistance for various groups of people, including refugees, undocumented persons, noncitizen immigrants, veterans, children and persons with disabilities. The brochure also provides contact information for health departments all over Ohio (www.aohc.net); information on oral, vision and behavioral health resources, subsidized care at local hospitals, community health centers (www.ohiochc.org) and free clinics (www.ohiofreeclinics.org).