What You Need To Know
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is known as Healthy Start in Ohio. The program wishes to help out families with children by providing them with health coverage. Ohio Healthy Start aims to cater to the healthcare needs of those families that are unable to qualify for Medicaid. The earning of these families is higher than those eligible for Medicaid but it is still lacking for private coverage. Therefore, Ohio Healthy Start caters to their needs, hoping to improve the health in the region.
Like the CHIP programs in other states, Ohio Healthy Start has been administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The health coverage provided by healthy start includes, but is not limited to:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Pregnancy services
- Vision services
- Dental Care
- Mental health services
- Immunizations
- Substance abuse services
Healthy Start provides coverage to qualified pregnant women during their pregnancy. This coverage lasts till approximately 60 days after giving birth. The babies born are, therefore, eligible for the free medical services provided by Healthy Start. This coverage is for an entire year. The benefits enjoyed by eligible pregnant women of any age include the following aspects:
- Pregnancy-related services
- Comprehensive pregnancy-related care after birth
- Aid with appointment setting and transportation
- Nutritional information
- Dental services
- Vision care
- Treatment in case of injury or illness
- Comprehensive preventive health care services
- Health check services for those below 21 years.
Are You Eligible?
There are certain requirements outlined by the program. The fulfillment of these aspects is important if you wish to receive the benefits. The basic criteria, in this regard, are that the person must be:
- A resident of the state of Ohio
- Under the age of 19
- Caregiver of a child under 19
- Not covered by health insurance i.e. Medicaid
- S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident
If the person fits the above-given criteria, then the annual household income of the family comes into play. The earning, before any tax deductions, is expected to either be less than or equal to the following figures:
| Size Of Household | Maximum Annual Income Level ($) |
| 1 | 24,980 |
| 2 | 33,820 |
| 3 | 42,660 |
| 4 | 51,500 |
| 5 | 60,340 |
| 6 | 69,180 |
| 7 | 78,020 |
| 8 | 86,860 |
Some households may consist of more than eight residents. In such events, an additional amount of $8,840 is added per person. For the most recent and accurate guidelines, it is advised that the managing agency is approached.
There are different types of income which are important in this program. In some cases, a certain type of income is disregard or exempted. Therefore, an individual should still apply for the program if their earnings are more than the figures listed. This would give them a chance at gaining the benefits they need. The income level of an individual may also determine the kind of coverage they receive. There are certain differences as in some situations; a premium would be expected to be paid.
The program is focused upon children; therefore they may receive immediate insurance. On the other hand, the adult may have to gather certain verifications for qualifications. Especially if it’s the full twelve months of coverage they wish to receive.
How To Apply?
The application process requires certain information or documents to be submitted. This includes proof of:
- Income
- Pregnancy
- Citizenship
- Other health insurance.
This information will help to outline whether or not you are eligible without any requirement of a face-to-face interview.
Ohio Healthy Start has also set up an appropriate Consumer Hotline. This is available in cases of any information required as well as any assistance concerning the application. The hotline is active seven days a week to cater to the greatest amount of people.
1-800-324-8680
Families have two methods of acquiring the application. They can simply find them at the local office of job and family services or download them. The latter can be done with the Combined Programs Application (CPA) – JFS Form No. 07216 found online.
Once you have qualified for the program, you have twelve months’ full coverage. If you wish to maintain this coverage, it is important for children to reapply every twelve months. Similarly, families must reapply as well but their time duration if six months instead of twelve.
For Further Information
A website has been set up by the Ohio Department of Medicaid. It has the necessary information required to clear out any confusion that may occur. More frequently asked questions have also been addressed there. This helps the people to make appropriate decisions regarding Ohio Healthy Start.