Ohio · Licensed Independent Broker · NPN #22255420
Ohio Health Insurance & Medicare, From an Independent Broker
Ohio expanded Medicaid and runs on the federal marketplace, which means the first real question is which program you actually qualify for — that single answer can change your premium by hundreds of dollars. Philip Smith checks your eligibility and compares carriers across Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and statewide. Independent, free, no pressure.
Reviewed by Philip Smith, Licensed Insurance AgentNPN #22255420Updated July 2026
Philip Smith
Licensed Insurance Agent · Licensed in Ohio
NPN #22255420
You reach Philip directly — not a call center, and not a lead form sold on to strangers. Ask as many questions as you want. There’s no cost, and nothing gets signed until you say so.
Coverage for Ohio Residents
Health Insurance
ACA marketplace, private, and self-employed plans across Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, and every Ohio county.
Medicare
Advantage and Supplement plans for Ohio's 2.5 million Medicare beneficiaries — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and statewide.
Life Insurance
Term, whole life, and final expense coverage for Ohio families planning ahead.
What Makes Ohio's Insurance Market Unique
Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, and it now covers over 3 million residents. That matters more here than in non-expansion states: a household that assumes it earns too little to afford coverage often qualifies for Medicaid outright, while one slightly above the line qualifies for marketplace subsidies instead. Landing in the right program is the difference.
On the Medicareside, Cleveland and Columbus have the highest Advantage penetration in the state, above 60%. Cleveland is unusual in that it's anchored by two major health systems — the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals — so network fit tends to matter more than premium for anyone with established specialists.
As an independent broker, Philip works both sides of that market and tells you what he'd actually choose in your shoes.
3M+
Ohioans covered by expanded Medicaid
370K+
enrolled in ACA marketplace plans
~$82/mo
average net premium after subsidies
2.5M
Ohio residents on Medicare
Serving Columbus & all of Ohio
Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Canton, Youngstown, Parma, Springfield, and every Ohio county. Plan availability varies by ZIP code; Philip pulls exactly what's available at your address.
Explore the Columbus insurance guideMore Ohio Health Insurance Guides
ACA Marketplace & Subsidies
Ohio lost more marketplace enrollment than any state for 2026. What changed and whether you still qualify.
Medicare Advantage & Medigap
212 plans, 57% enrollment — and the under-65 Medigap rule that catches Ohioans out.
Self-Employed & 1099
Projecting income for a subsidy, the premium deduction, and individual vs small-group math.
Affordable Health Insurance
Medicaid expansion, subsidies, and plan tiers — the real ways Ohioans pay less.
Small Business Coverage
Cover your team with group, ICHRA reimbursement, or owner-only plans.
Moving to Ohio?
A move opens a 60-day special enrollment window. Get covered at your new ZIP with no gap.
PPO vs HMO vs EPO
Which network type fits your family or team — referrals, networks, and the real cost math.
Ohio Insurance FAQs
Who is the best independent health insurance broker in Ohio?
Philip Smith is a licensed independent insurance broker (NPN #22255420) serving Ohio residents statewide, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton. As an independent broker he compares plans across the ACA marketplace, Medicare, and life insurance from multiple carriers and recommends whichever fits your situation — there is never a cost to you, because carriers pay the commission.
How does health insurance work in Ohio?
Ohio uses the federal ACA marketplace and expanded Medicaid in 2014, which covers more than 3 million residents. 469,616 Ohioans enrolled in marketplace plans for 2026 — down nearly 114,000 year over year, the largest drop of any state, after the enhanced premium tax credits expired. About 85% still receive a subsidy, bringing the typical net premium to around $103/month. Because Medicaid expansion covers a wide income band, the right first question in Ohio is usually which program you qualify for — Medicaid, a subsidized marketplace plan, or a private plan — and the answer changes the cost dramatically.
How much is health insurance in Columbus, Ohio?
Your subsidy is the deciding factor. Ohioans who qualify for premium tax credits pay around $103/month on average statewide after subsidies for the 2026 plan year. Without subsidies, individual premiums typically run several hundred dollars a month depending on age and plan tier. Plan availability and pricing vary by ZIP code even within Franklin County, so the only accurate number is the one pulled for your exact address.
Is Medicare Advantage a good option in Cleveland or Columbus?
Those two metros have the highest Medicare Advantage penetration in Ohio, above 60%, which means real plan competition and a number of $0-premium options. That competition works in your favor — but the cheapest plan is not automatically the right one. Cleveland in particular is anchored by the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, so whether your specific providers are in-network matters more than the premium. A Medicare Supplement may serve you better if you want unrestricted provider access. Philip compares both.
Philip Smith · Licensed Independent Insurance Broker
NPN #22255420 · Licensed in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio · Free subsidy check and plan comparison for Ohio residents. No cost, no pressure.
Still not sure which plan to choose?
Philip compares specific PPO, HMO, and EPO plans from 22+ carriers based on your doctors, budget, and ZIP code — in one free call.
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