Medicare in Ohio: Coverage Options and Free Help

Ohioans on Medicare have the same core choices as everyone else, Original Medicare with or without a Medicare Supplement, or a Medicare Advantage plan, plus a Part D drug plan. What Ohio adds is OSHIIP, a free state program that gives unbiased, one-on-one Medicare counseling at no cost. This guide covers your options, how to lower your costs, and where to get free help in Ohio.

Medicare is a federal program, so the parts and rules are the same in Ohio as anywhere else. What changes state to state is which specific plans are sold in your county and what help is available locally.

Your Medicare coverage options in Ohio

When you become eligible, usually at 65, you choose how to receive your coverage:

• Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is the federal program. You can see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare, with no network.
• A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan pairs with Original Medicare to cover much of your out-of-pocket cost sharing. You add a standalone Part D plan for drugs.
• A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan, usually bundling drug coverage and extras like dental and vision, in exchange for using a network.

Which plans are available depends on your Ohio county, so two neighbors in different counties can have different choices. Comparing the plans sold where you actually live is the part where a licensed advisor helps most.

What Medicare costs in Ohio

The federal figures apply in Ohio just like everywhere else. The standard Part B premium is $202.90/month with an annual deductible of $283/year (as of the CMS 2026 release; higher earners pay more through IRMAA). Most people pay no premium for Part A.

Beyond those federal numbers, your real cost depends on the plan you pick. Medigap premiums, Medicare Advantage copays, and Part D drug costs all vary by plan and county, which is exactly what free help can sort out.

OSHIIP: free, unbiased Medicare help in Ohio

OSHIIP is the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, run by the Ohio Department of Insurance since 1992. It is Ohio's version of the national State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and it exists to give Medicare beneficiaries objective information, not to sell plans.

Trained OSHIIP volunteers and staff can help you:

• Understand the parts of Medicare and your enrollment windows.
• Compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options in your county.
• Check whether you qualify for programs that lower your costs.
• Sort out a billing question or a coverage denial.

Because OSHIIP does not sell insurance, its guidance is unbiased. You can reach OSHIIP through the Ohio Department of Insurance, or find your local SHIP through the national locator at shiphelp.org. For plan-specific questions you can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), which is staffed 24 hours a day.

Ways to lower your Medicare costs in Ohio

If your income is limited, two programs can cut your costs significantly, and OSHIIP or a licensed advisor can check your eligibility:

• Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium and, in some cases, your deductibles and coinsurance. Eligibility is based on income and assets, and the limits change each year.
• Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) lowers what you pay for prescription drugs, including premiums and copays.

Qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program often enrolls you in Extra Help automatically, so it is worth checking even if you were over the limit in a prior year.

Frequently asked questions

What is OSHIIP and does it cost anything?

OSHIIP is the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, run by the Ohio Department of Insurance. It provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling and does not sell insurance. There is no cost to use it.

Are Medicare plans different in Ohio than in other states?

Medicare's parts and rules are federal, so they are the same everywhere. What differs by state and even by county is which specific Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans are sold, and what they cost.

How do I get free help choosing a plan in Ohio?

You can contact OSHIIP through the Ohio Department of Insurance, find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. A licensed independent advisor can also compare the plans available in your county at no cost to you.

Can I get help paying for Medicare in Ohio?

Yes. Medicare Savings Programs can cover your Part B premium and other costs, and Extra Help lowers your prescription drug costs. Both are based on income and assets, and the limits update each year.

Talk to a licensed Medicare advocate

OSHIIP is a great source of unbiased information, and a licensed Medicare advocate can go a step further by comparing the specific plans in your Ohio county, checking whether your doctors and drugs are covered, and handling your enrollment. There is never a cost to you for that help.