How do I choose a Medicare plan in Ohio?

Five steps to choose a plan

1. Pick your path. Original Medicare lets you see any provider in the U.S. who accepts Medicare; most people add a Medigap policy and a Part D plan. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with one private plan that uses a network and usually includes drug coverage. See Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage in Ohio.
2. List your doctors, hospital and pharmacy. Include specialists in Columbus, Cleveland or Cincinnati and any hospital across a state line you use.
3. List your prescriptions. Write down each drug, dose and how often you take it, then check each plan's 2027 drug list and any prior authorization or quantity limits.
4. Compare plans sold in your county. Look at premiums, deductibles, copays and the yearly limit. For 2027, a Medicare Advantage plan's in-network limit can be up to $9,850, and Part D drug costs are capped at $2,400.
5. Check your timing and enroll. Use the right enrollment period and keep any notice that gives you a special right, such as a plan non-renewal letter.

Ohio factors that change the answer

• No Medigap birthday rule. Outside your 6-month Medigap open enrollment at 65 and federal guaranteed-issue situations, Ohio Medigap companies can ask health questions. A bill (HB 24) has been proposed; it is not law. Moving from Medicare Advantage to Medigap later can be hard. See Medigap in Ohio.
• Public retiree coverage. OPERS, STRS Ohio, SERS, OP&F and HPRS each work differently with Medicare. See Ohio public retirement systems and Medicare.
• Ohio Medicaid. If you have full Medicaid, Next Generation MyCare Ohio covers your Medicaid benefits statewide, and you choose how you get Medicare. See MyCare Ohio.
• Winters in Florida. Original Medicare works in every state; Medicare Advantage networks are local. See Florida snowbirds and Medicare.
• Your county. Choice ranges from 68 plans open to everyone in Summit County to 22 in Scioto County for 2027. See the counties page.

Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage.

Where to get help comparing

Medicare's Plan Finder at Medicare.gov lists plans by ZIP code, and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048) has information on all your options. To compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or see plans for your ZIP code.

Related questions

Sources

• Medicare.gov — Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
• CMS — CY 2027 Rate Announcement (Part D out-of-pocket threshold)
• Ohio Administrative Code 3901-8-08, Medicare supplement (open enrollment and guaranteed issue)
• Ohio General Assembly — House Bill 24 (136th), status
• STRS Ohio — Medicare enrollment
• Ohio Department of Insurance — Consumer complaint information

More questions in this guide

• Can I be turned down for a Medicare Advantage plan in Ohio?
• How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Ohio for 2027?
• Is Medicare Advantage available in every Ohio county?
• What are Medicare special needs plans in Ohio?

Part of the guide: Medicare Advantage in Ohio · All questions

Frequently asked questions

Medicare in your Ohio county

Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →