Ohio
Ohio has a relatively high percentage of residents insured for health-related services, as pointed out in America’s Health Rankings, a report by the United Health Foundation. The state also scored well in the number of high school graduates. This has a positive impact on Ohio as educational attainment often correlates to prevalence of health problems.
However, America’s Health Rankings placed Ohio in 40th place among U.S. states. Challenges to Ohio’s health status include preventable hospitalizations, air pollution, and diabetes. Around 885,000 people, or more than 10% of the state’s adults, were reported to have diabetes in 2011. This chronic ailment mostly affected adults of ages 65 and above, and individuals who earned less than $15,000.
The report found that heart disease was the leading cause of mortality among Ohio’s women; nearly 13,000 women died from this complication in 2010. Obesity and hypertension were the top risk factors for the state’s affected female population. In 2009, southeast Ohio saw the highest incidence of heart disease among women.
Ohio’s Department of Aging reported that 57% of the state’s caregiving population in 2011 was comprised of women. Meanwhile, 50 was the minimum age for approximately 80% of care recipients.
Cost of Care
Below are the average daily cost* of long-term care services in Ohio.
| City | Nursing Facility1 | Assisted Living1 | Adult Day Care2 | Home Health Aide3 |
| Canton | $251 | $136 | $66 | $102 |
| Cincinnati | $271 | $132 | $61 | $120 |
| Cleveland | $220 | $111 | $102 | $114 |
| Columbus | $249 | $131 | $58 | $114 |
| Dayton | $251 | $109 | $48 | $102 |
| Toledo | $251 | $106 | $48 | $126 |
Notes:
*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
1Daily average for a private room.
2Based on five days of care per week.
3Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.
Insurance Options
On March 1, 2012, Mutual of Omaha oversaw adjustments to the inflation rider rates of its Mutual Care Plus and United LTCi Solutions LTCI policies. The insurer modified its workplace-related policies in Ohio through the no inflation-Future Purchase Option.
John Hancock started selling Partnership-certified long-term care insurance policies in Ohio and two other states on August 19, 2013. The insurance carrier markets Custom Care I (LTC-02 OH) and Essential Care I (BSC-02 OH) exclusively in Ohio. Meanwhile, Ohio residents may choose to buy Custom Care II, Essential Care II, Leading Edge, or Custom Care III.
Ohio and several other states saw the launching of Genworth’s Privileged Choice Flex 2 policy for LTC coverage on November 11, 2013. Among the newer policy’s improvements over its predecessor are the new 4% compound inflation protection option, lowered Maximum Issue Age, and a newly-designed illustration.
Along with these three insurers, Ohio citizens can purchase LTCI policies from New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, State Farm, and Transamerica. Hybrid life insurance-LTCI policies are available from Lincoln Financial, Pacific Life, State Life, and Nationwide.
State Long-Term Care Programs
Medicare helps Ohio residents who are 65 years of age, and younger people with disabilities, in getting some LTC services. The state’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization assists Medicare clients in getting high-quality services through coordination with professionals in the field of health care.
The federally-facilitated Marketplace of Ohio’s Medicaid operates under a partnership model. On January 1, 2014, Ohio began expanding the program’s coverage to more adult residents with limited income. Target clients of the state’s Medicaid expansion have jobs but lack insurance coverage for health care and long-term care.
The state’s Medicaid clients, along with residents who depend on Medicare, can also receive financial support from the Medicare Premium Assistance Program. As with a few states, Ohio also took action to integrate Medicare and Medicaid in a pilot program called MyCare Ohio. Starting in 2014, MyCare Ohio will span 3 years and will cover the care services for 114,000 residents in 29 counties.
LTC dependents can benefit from the Ohio Home Care Program, which is managed by the Ohio Department of Medicaid in coordination with the Bureau of Long-Term Care Services and Supports.
More Resources
To get more specific information regarding long -term care services and insurance options in Ohio, please check the following websites:
Gives information and resources about a wide range of topics regarding seniors and LTC.
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
Offers guides and resource links about senior living, LTC settings, caregiving, etc.
Helps care dependents learn about their housing options and locate them.
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