If You Live in Ohio, What Do You Do If You Lose Your Job?

If you live in Ohio and have recently lost your job...you're not alone. The state has lost more than 260,000 jobs since 2000, 4.8 percent of all employment. The hardest hit areas have been Trumbull County, losing 20.5 percent of its jobs, and Montgomery County, losing 14.1% of its jobs.

President Barack Obama's health care initiatives are now facing delay, when Tom Daschle, who was chosen to head the initiative, suddenly withdrew his nomination for health secretary. Health care reform has taken a back seat to more pressing concerns...such as the ailing economy and bailing out auto manufacturers and some financial institutions.

If you find yourself out of a job, between jobs, or your employer is reducing your hours, your health insurance may be affected. In many cases, your current coverage extends for a few months (or less), and then the search for an affordable Ohio health insurance plan begins.

Cobra is one option. Under this program, Ohio workers laid off from companies with 20 or more employees can extend their employee-provided health insurance for 18 months. Of course...premiums are often extremely expensive and unaffordable. And with the current recession and no end in sight, Cobra's premiums are not a viable health insurance option for many Ohioians.

However, if you have no significant medical issues, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease, you may qualify for an individual Ohio health insurance policy. The application process is simple and physicals are rarely required. The most popular Ohio companies are Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthCare, Medical Mutual and Aetna.

For example, in Franklin County, a nonsmoking family of four (Parents-Age 40 & Children-Ages 8 & 10), with no medical issues, can buy a "catastrophic health" plan for $120 per month. A "comprehensive" plan, which offers many more coverages, including preventative benefits, would cost between $230 and $300 per month, depending on the major medical deductible.

Naturally, rates will be substantially less if only one person is insured. Also, existing medical conditions can raise the rate. With your own policy, your coverage is portable, so you may keep the policy as long as you want. Also...with individual coverage, unlike group coverage, your rate is not affected by a large amount of unhealthy persons in the group.

For additional information, feel free to email service@ohioquotes.com or visit http://www.ohioquotes.com

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