Information on Non-Comprehensive Ohio Health Insurance Plans

Types of non-comprehensive health insurance plans

Short-term health insurance

Short-term insurance will generally provide coverage for no longer than a year. Because you cannot carry eligibility from prior coverage to a short-term health policy, no short-term health policy covers pre-existing conditions. College alumni associations may offer this option to recent graduates.

Student group coverage

Many colleges and universities offer health insurance to enrolled students and may offer coverage for an extended period of time after graduation.

Disability insurance

Disability insurance is sometimes called supplemental income insurance. It pays a fixed amount for a specified period of time when you can't work because of an accident or illness. Coverage may be short-term or long-term. Your employer may offer this coverage or you can purchase it on your own. Benefits and eligibility requirements can vary greatly, depending on such things as how the plan denies "disability," waiting periods, length of hospitalization and exclusions.

Cancer insurance

Cancer insurance provides benefits only if you get cancer. Like all insurance products, the policy will not be offered to you if cancer was diagnosed before you applied for the coverage.

Dental insurance

Some companies provide dental insurance to their employees and plans are available for individuals as well. Plans normally have a network of dentists they prefer you to use. You may still get benefits if you use a dentist who's not in the plan's network, but your copays will be lower by choosing an in-network dentist.

Vision insurance

Employers may offer vision coverage; plans may also be purchased by individuals. Vision insurance is a wellness benefit that helps pay your costs for eye exams, corrective lenses and other vision services. Some plans require you to use a provider network.

Long-term Care (LTC) insurance

Insurance that pays for care given in a skilled nursing facility, adult care facility or at home. Covers chronic medical conditions and helps with activities of daily living.

Other options

Health discount cards

Coverage through a discount card is also not health insurance. Such cards simply discount the cost for medical services when received from certain doctors and other providers. Health discount cards can save you money but they do not offer the protections carried by actual health insurance. If health insurance is not available to you -- for whatever reason -- a discount plan may help lower your medical costs. Always read the membership agreement and use the plan wisely. The Ohio Department of Insurance has limited authority over these plans.