As we enter our 22nd year in business, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for our clients who have trusted Ohio Health Benefits (OHB) to guide them through the often-confusing world of Medicare and health insurance. Your support and confidence in us have been the foundation of our continued success, and we remain committed to providing you with the best service and advice possible.
One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in the past few years is the growing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans. In 2024, an impressive 75% of our new Medicare enrollees chose a Medicare Advantage plan. The reasons for this shift are clear—Medicare Advantage plans offer not only comprehensive medical coverage but also a wide range of additional benefits that Original Medicare simply does not provide. Many of these plans include valuable extras such as dental, vision, hearing aids, and over-the-counter pharmacy benefits, adding up to thousands of dollars in potential savings for beneficiaries.
The Medicare Advantage market continues to be highly competitive, and in some ways, overly saturated. Ohio alone averages over 70 Medicare Advantage plans, with the more populous counties offering over 80 different plan options. While choice is a good thing, it can also create confusion. At OHB, our role is to help you cut through the noise and find the plan that best suits your healthcare needs and budget.
One of the standout benefits of Medicare Advantage plans is dental coverage. We’ve seen many plans offering dental benefits of $2,000 or more per year. And, because Medicare does not allow waiting periods, the benefits start right away. Stand-alone dental policies have lower benefits and waiting periods and the monthly premium hardly makes them worth the money. This is just one example of how Medicare Advantage plans are designed to provide more comprehensive healthcare benefits to their members.
Meanwhile, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans continue to see annual premium increases. As I often say, every Medicare Supplement plan from every insurance company increases in cost every year—period. While Medicare Supplement plans still offer great coverage for many individuals, it’s important to regularly evaluate whether they remain the best fit for your needs, especially as costs continue to rise.
As always, our goal at OHB is to remove the confusion surrounding Medicare and ensure that you fully understand your options. If you have any questions or want to review your plan, call us at 330-633-7713 and let’s discuss your needs.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you, and we look forward to continuing to be your trusted advisors for years to come!
