Ohio offers two options for Healthcare Open Enrollment. Reviewing available choices carefully helps ensure the selected plan aligns with individual needs.
Healthcare Open Enrollment provides Cincinnati residents with essential opportunities to secure health insurance that meets financial and medical needs. Many households review Medicaid or reduced‑cost plans during this period. This guide supports informed decisions across available options.
Understanding choices during Healthcare Open Enrollment strengthens access to affordable care throughout Ohio. Residents can compare plans through Open Marketplace Healthcare Enrollment and locate programs that lower monthly expenses.
Option 1
Expanded Medicaid may be an option for individuals and families in Ohio with a monthly household income of 138 percent FPL or less. There is no application deadline.
Individuals and families in Ohio with a monthly household income of 138% FPL ($1732 per month for an individual or $3588 for a family of four) may be eligible for free or low-cost healthcare through Expanded Medicaid. Qualified Ohioans can apply for Expanded Medicaid any day of the calendar year.
Confirm eligibility for Expanded Medicaid in Ohio and apply today.
Option 2
Open Marketplace Healthcare Enrollment may be an option for individuals and families in Ohio with a household income greater than 138% FPL. For 2027 coverage, the application deadline is December 15.
The 2027 Open Healthcare Enrollment runs from November 1 – December 15, 2026. Individuals without health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another qualifying source can seek coverage through the Healthcare.gov Marketplace.
The information in this article is as current as the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Healthcare Open Enrollment?
Online
Individuals with an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace can simply log in. Individuals without an account must create one.
Telephone
A customer service representative at the Health Insurance Marketplace can help to fill out an application, review choices, and enroll in coverage by calling 1-800-318-2596. This line is open 24/7, with the exclusion of holidays.
In-Person Assistance
Health Insurance Marketplace assisters are available in the community who are trained to help with applications and enrollment. Find local health by zipcode.
Paper Application
Print, complete, and mail in a paper application. You will get eligibility results in the mail within two weeks.
Related Article: Free, low-cost, and Medicaid-eligible healthcare, pharmacy care, and health services in Cincinnati
What do Marketplace health insurance plans cover?
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
Can I sign up for health insurance after Open Enrollment?
If you miss the open enrollment deadline of December 15, 2026, you can enroll in the health insurance marketplace only if you qualify for the Special Enrollment Period that includes certain life events, like losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child.
How can I save on health insurance?
Based on your estimated income, you may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly insurance bill and provides extra savings on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and co-payments.
If I have employer-based health insurance, can I buy insurance on the marketplace?
If you have employer-based insurance plans, you can still buy a plan through the Marketplace, but you will only pay the total price if your employer’s insurance meets specific standards. Most job-based programs meet the criteria.
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Will I get penalized for not having health insurance?
The fee for not having health insurance (sometimes called the “Shared Responsibility Payment” or “mandate”) ended in 2018. This means you no longer pay a tax penalty for not having health coverage. If you don’t have health coverage, you don’t need an exemption to avoid paying a tax penalty.
What should basic health coverage cover?
Hospital Expense
Some or all of the daily cost of room and board.
Routine nursing, minor medical supplies, and use of other hospital facilities.
Surgical Expense
Pays all or part of the surgeon’s fees.
Physician Expense
Meets some or all the costs that do not involve surgery.
Routine visits, x-rays, and lab tests.
Are Medicare services a part of the Healthcare Enrollment Marketplace?
If you have Medicare, you cannot switch to Marketplace insurance, supplement your coverage with a Marketplace plan, or buy a Marketplace dental plan. Learn more about Medicare and the Marketplace.
What documents do I need to apply for open-enrollment healthcare?
Below is a checklist of what you need to make the enrollment process as smooth as possible:
- Information about your household size. Figure out who in your household will apply together before you start your application. Get help figuring out who to include in your household.
- Home and/or mailing addresses for everyone applying for coverage.
- Information about everyone applying for coverage, like Social Security Numbers and birth dates.
- Information about the professional helping you apply, if you’re getting help completing your application. This could be an agent, broker, or assister.
- Information on how you plan to file your taxes in 2026.
- Employer and income information for every member of your household (like from pay stubs or W-2s). Learn more about what types of income to include and not include.
- Your best estimate of what your household income will be in 2026. Get help estimating your income.
- Policy numbers for any current health plans covering members of your household.
- Information about any job-based plan you or someone in your household is eligible for. You can use the Employer Coverage Tool to help collect this information. (You’ll want to fill out this worksheet even for coverage you’re eligible for but don’t enroll in.)
- Notices from your current plan that include your plan ID, if you have or had 2025 Marketplace coverage.
- Document information for legal immigrants and naturalized citizens.
Related Article: Black Therapists and Mental Health Professionals in Cincinnati
Finding free, reduced, and affordable healthcare insurance in Ohio remains an essential step toward stronger community well‑being. Clear information and accessible resources help residents make confident choices that support long‑term health. Continued engagement ensures that families stay informed about changing programs and opportunities.
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Healthcare Open Enrollment photo provided by © [Minerva Studio] /Adobe Stock
