How can I get insurance coverage
Ohio Medicaid / CHIP / Ohio State Programs
Learn about finding and applying for programs in Ohio
Who Can Apply
- Low to moderate-income individuals and families
- Pregnant people, children, parents, caretakers
- Citizens or eligible immigrants
When to Apply
- Anytime (there is no limited enrollment period for Medicaid in Ohio)
- Apply whenever your income or household situation changes
What You Need
- Social Security Numbers
- Immigration documents (if applicable)
- Income info: tax returns, pay stubs
- Household info
- Government benefits documentation
What You’ll Report
- Household members and relationships
- Income and tax information
- Current employer coverage (if any)
- Upload documents if requested
How to Apply
- Online: Ohio Medicaid portal: https://benefits.ohio.gov/
- Phone: 1-800-324-8680 (Ohio Medicaid Customer Service)
- In-person help: Local County Department of Job and Family Services (Find your county office)
- Marketplace screening: Marketplace applications automatically screen for Medicaid/CHIP eligibility and refer eligible applicants to Ohio Medicaid
What You May Qualify For
- Medicaid: Free or very low-cost health coverage for eligible adults and families
- CHIP / Healthy Families: Low-cost coverage for children who do not qualify for Medicaid
Key Notes
- Once approved, the state handles enrollment. Do not purchase a Marketplace plan if Medicaid/CHIP approves you
- If denied, you can then enroll in a Marketplace plan with possible premium tax credits (see information about ACA Marketplace Coverage below)
Free Help / Resources
- Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal, where residents check eligibility, apply for, and manage public assistance benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance): https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov/apspssp/ssp.portal
- Online info & additional resources : https://medicaid.ohio.gov
- Local county offices: https://jfs.ohio.gov/about/local-agencies-directory
- How-to videos: https://benefits.ohio.gov/help-center/how-to-videos
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Michigan Medicaid / Healthy Michigan Plan / MIChild
Learn about finding and applying for programs in Ohio
Who Can Apply
- Low/moderate income adults, children
- Pregnant people, parents/caretakers
- Citizens or eligible immigrants
When to Apply
- Anytime (there is no limited enrollment period for Medicaid in Michigan)
- Apply whenever your income or household situation changes
What You Need
- Social Security Numbers
- Immigration documents (if applicable)
- Income information: tax returns, pay stubs
- Household information
- Government benefits documentation
What You’ll Report
- Household members and relationships
- Income and tax information
- Current employer coverage (if any)
- Upload documents if requested
How to Apply
- Online: Michigan Medicaid portal: https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/
- Phone: 1-855-789-5610
- MI Bridges HelpDesk: 844-799-9876
- In-person help: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/county-offices
- Marketplace screening: https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/
What You May Qualify For
- Medicaid / Healthy Michigan Plan: Free/low-cost coverage
- MIChild: Low-cost coverage for children
Key Notes
- Once approved, the state handles enrollment. Do not purchase a Marketplace plan if Medicaid/CHIP approves you
- If denied, you can then enroll in a Marketplace plan with possible premium tax credits (see information about ACA Marketplace Coverage below)
Free Help / Resources
- Michigan Healthcare Helpline: 1-855-789-5610
- Helpful Medicaid links: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/help
- Find local help: https://localhelp.healthcare.gov
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ACA Marketplace Coverage (HealthCare.gov)
Learn about finding and applying for insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace
Who Can Apply
- Live in the U.S.
- U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant
- Not incarcerated, not on Medicare
- Being uninsured is fine
When to Apply
- Open Enrollment: November 1 – January 15
- Special Enrollment anytime if you:
- Lose coverage
- Move to a new state or ZIP code that changes plan options
- Have a baby or adopt
- Turn 26 (age when you must leave your parents’ plan)
- Marriage/divorce
- Income changes
- Low/moderate income may qualify without a life event
What You Need
- Social Security numbers
- Immigration documents (if applicable)
- Income info: recent tax return, pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, or estimated income for the year
- Tax filing status (single, married, etc.)
- Current employer insurance info (if anyone in household has coverage)
- Current health insurance info (if any)
- Household information: who lives with you, who you claim on taxes
- Any documentation of government benefits (if applicable)
What You’ll Report
- Household members
- Income details
- Tax info
- Employer coverage
- Upload documents if requested
Household info: https://www.healthcare.gov/income-and-household-information/household-size/
How to Apply
- Online: https://www.healthcare.gov
- Phone: 1-800-318-2596
- In-person help (free): https://localhelp.healthcare.gov
- By mail: https://www.healthcare.gov/downloads/apply-for-or-renew-coverage.pdf
What You May Qualify For
- Premium tax credits → https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/save-on-monthly-premiums/
- Cost-sharing reductions → https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/save-on-out-of-pocket-costs/
- Medicaid/CHIP → https://www.medicaid.gov / https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/
Tips for Choosing a Plan
Become familiar with common insurance terms and compare plans. See the links below for common terms:
- Premiums
- Deductables
- Out-of-pocket max
- Copays
- Networks
- Prescription Coverage
- How to pick a health insurance plan
Plan comparison: https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/
Activate Coverage
- Pick plan → Enroll → Pay first premium
- Coverage starts after payment
Free Help / Resources
- Find local help: https://localhelp.healthcare.gov
- Call: 1-800-318-2596
