Ohio Health Insurance and Medical Assistance Programs for the Uninsured and Underinsured
Ohio has a range of programs specifically built for people who are uninsured or whose coverage falls short. Some are run directly by the state, others draw on federal funding, and a few are managed through local health departments or nonprofits. What they share is a focus on low-income residents who would otherwise be paying out of pocket — or going without care entirely. This page covers the main programs available statewide.
Medicaid
Ohio's Medicaid program, administered through the Ohio Department of Medicaid, provides health coverage to low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. Since Ohio expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2014, adults under 65 without dependent children can also qualify based on income alone. More than three million Ohioans are currently enrolled.
Medicaid covers a broad range of services: doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, prenatal care, and more. There is no premium for most enrollees, though some plans have small cost-sharing requirements depending on income.
Eligibility is based on household size and income, with different thresholds applying to different groups — children, pregnant women, adults without children, and people with disabilities each fall under different rules. The easiest way to check eligibility and apply is through Ohio Benefits at https://benefits.ohio.gov/home/resources/assistance-programs/03-medicaid, or by calling the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680. You can also apply in person at your county Department of Job and Family Services.
Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD)
One of Medicaid's less-known programs, MBIWD is built specifically for people with disabilities who are working but earn too much to qualify for regular Medicaid. The old catch was that getting a job could cost someone their health coverage — MBIWD was created to fix that problem.
To qualify, you must be between 16 and 64, have a disability that meets the Social Security Administration's definition, and be employed in paid work — part-time counts. Income limits are set considerably higher than standard Medicaid, and the way income is calculated favors earned wages, meaning someone can earn well above what regular Medicaid allows and still qualify. A small monthly premium may apply depending on income, but there is no spenddown requirement.
MBIWD covers the same full range of services as regular Ohio Medicaid. It also includes a "medically improved" category for people who were enrolled and then lost their disability status — they can continue coverage as long as they're still working. And if someone loses their job while enrolled, there's a continuation period to avoid an immediate gap in coverage.
Apply at your local county Department of Job and Family Services or call the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680.
CHIP — Ohio Healthy State
Ohio's version of the Children's Health Insurance Program is called Ohio Healthy Start. It provides free or very low-cost coverage to children and teenagers up to age 19 in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still can't easily afford private insurance. Pregnant women may also be eligible.
Coverage under Ohio Healthy Start is comprehensive — it includes doctor visits, immunizations, dental care, vision, hospital care, prescriptions, and mental health services. There is no premium for the lowest-income families, and costs for others are kept minimal. Apply through Ohio Benefits online at benefits.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-324-8680.
Medicare Premium Assistance Programs (MPAP)
For Ohioans who are already on Medicare but struggle to afford the premiums, deductibles, and copayments, Ohio offers a set of programs called Medicare Premium Assistance Programs (MPAP). These are sometimes called Medicare Savings Programs. There are four levels of assistance depending on income:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) covers Part A and Part B premiums, plus deductibles and copayments. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI-1) help pay Part B premiums only. Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) assists people under 65 who are disabled and working.
All four programs are income-based, and income limits adjust annually. You can apply online at benefits.ohio.gov, call 1-800-324-8680, or visit your county Department of Job and Family Services. If you already have Medicaid, you may qualify for both programs simultaneously.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP)
The Ohio Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Project provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to women who are uninsured or underinsured and who meet income guidelines — generally at or below around 300% of the federal poverty level. Women 21 and older are eligible for cervical screenings; mammograms are available for those in their 40s and above.
Services include pelvic exams, Pap tests, clinical breast exams, mammograms, and diagnostic testing such as ultrasounds and biopsies. The program also offers patient navigation — meaning staff will help you find a provider, schedule appointments, and work through the system if you've never done it before. If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, participants may be enrolled in BCCP Medicaid, which covers treatment costs.
The program operates through regional agencies across the state, with over 900 providers participating. To find out if you qualify and get connected to a provider in your area, call 1-844-430-2227.
Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program (OHDAP)
OHDAP, part of Ohio's Ryan White Part B Program, provides free HIV medications to Ohio residents who are HIV-positive and meet income eligibility guidelines — generally up to around 500% of the federal poverty level. The program is designed as a payer of last resort, meaning it fills in gaps when someone has no insurance or when their coverage doesn't cover what they need.
Medications are dispensed through a specialty mail-order pharmacy, which also protects confidentiality for participants anywhere in the state. The program covers most FDA-approved HIV medications as well as many related medications for other conditions. Annual re-enrollment and a mid-year check-in are required to maintain benefits. There is no copayment for enrolled participants.
OHDAP also administers the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program for participants who have private insurance — the program can help pay insurance premiums so people don't lose their coverage.
To apply, contact the Ohio Department of Health HIV Care Services Section at 1-800-777-4775, or reach out to a local Ryan White agency in your county. Case manager assistance is required for applicants with incomes at or below the poverty level.
PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
PACE is a Medicaid and Medicare program designed for adults 55 and older who need nursing-home-level care but want to remain living at home or in their community. Rather than placing someone in a facility, PACE coordinates all of their care through an interdisciplinary team — physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and others — working together under one program.
Services covered include primary and specialty care, prescription drugs, physical and occupational therapy, adult day services, meals, transportation, and home care. Hospital and emergency care are also covered. For most participants, PACE replaces their separate Medicare and Medicaid coverage entirely.
PACE centers are concentrated in Ohio's major population areas — counties like Cuyahoga, Lorain, Franklin, Summit, and Hamilton — with the program actively expanding statewide. Coverage changes regularly, so for the current list of operating sites and planned locations, contact the Ohio Department of Aging at 1-800-266-4346 or visit https://aging.ohio.gov/find-services.
Private pay is also an option for those who don't qualify for Medicaid but still meet the age and care-level requirements.
OHIO Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP)
OSHIIP is a free state program that helps Ohio seniors and people with disabilities understand their Medicare options. It's staffed by trained counselors who can walk you through Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, explain the differences between Medicare Advantage and original Medicare, help you compare prescription drug plans, and identify programs that might lower your costs — including MPAP and the federal Low Income Subsidy for drug coverage.
OSHIIP counseling is completely free and unbiased — counselors don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-686-1578 to reach OSHIIP.
OHIO Vaccines for Children Program
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides free vaccines to children who are uninsured, Medicaid-enrolled, or American Indian/Alaska Native. The vaccines are distributed through local health departments and participating medical providers across the state. Diseases covered include polio, flu, tetanus, measles, HPV, and others on the recommended childhood immunization schedule.
To find a VFC provider in your area, contact the Ohio Department of Health at 1-800-282-0546 or visit your local health department.
Vision Care Outreach Program
Prevent Blindness Ohio runs a statewide program that connects uninsured and underinsured Ohioans to donated eye exams, eyeglasses, and vision screenings at no cost. The program operates in all 88 Ohio counties through a network of volunteer eye doctors and optical companies, and helps more than 5,000 adults and children each year.
To qualify, you generally need to be uninsured or underinsured and meet income guidelines. Applications are typically processed through local partner organizations such as county health departments, community action agencies, or social service offices — they help screen clients, schedule exams, and arrange transportation if needed.
For people on Medicare whose exam is covered but glasses are not, Prevent Blindness Ohio can also provide vouchers for eyewear. And for Medicaid enrollees who have already used their yearly vision benefit, the program may be able to help with additional needs.
To get connected, call Prevent Blindness Ohio at 1-800-301-2020 or reach out to your local county health department.
Free and low-cost clinics
Community health centers and free clinics across Ohio serve patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to pay full price. Many operate on a sliding-fee scale based on income, meaning what you pay is tied to what you earn — some patients pay nothing at all. Services typically include primary care, dental care, mental health support, and help applying for coverage programs.
For dental care specifically, Ohio's NHPB directory of clinics connects patients with dentists who provide reduced-fee or free services. Find a list of income-based or free dental centers in Ohio using this page.
See the full directory of free medical clinics in Ohio and free community health centers in Ohio for locations in your area.
How to apply
For most of the Medicaid-based programs on this page — including regular Medicaid, Ohio Healthy Start (CHIP), and the Medicare Premium Assistance Programs — you can apply in one place: https://benefits.ohio.gov/, by phone at 1-800-324-8680, or in person at your county Department of Job and Family Services (find your local office at https://jfs.ohio.gov/county).
Programs like BCCP, OHDAP, and PACE have separate application processes; contact information for each is listed in the relevant section above. Programs and eligibility rules change — income limits adjust annually and enrollment windows vary by program. Verify current details before applying.
A note about this information: NeedHelpPayingBills.com is not a medical provider and does not offer medical advice. The health care information on this site is provided for informational purposes only, to help people locate assistance programs and understand what may be available to them. Program eligibility rules, income limits, and enrollment periods change regularly — sometimes more than once a year. Aways verify current details directly with the program before applying or making any health care decisions.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?