Your State Government's Oversight of Health Insurance in Ohio
The Ohio state-level Government is responsible for preparing and managing insurance regulations applicable to the state. In fulfilling this obligation, the State Government will generally work to balance consumer protections within a business environment that supports strong financial and economic growth. With regards to health care insurance, the State Government serves three separate constituent groups: consumers, insurance providers, and independent licensed brokers.
The Government's main element of control for promoting a beneficial health insurance market involves the licensing and oversight of health insurance companies and independent brokers. For managing insurance companies, the State Government develops basic standards for health insurance products and performs periodic financial statement reviews, to assure that tax requirements are being complied with. For health insurance brokers, the State Government sets professional licensing qualifications, takes care of broker license testing and issuance of licenses, oversees continuing education requirements, and is responsible to collect license fees for brokers. The State level Government is in charge of investigating insurance fraud schemes, especially as it affects consumers or when it threatens the state business environment.
For state insurance consumers, the State Government provides health insurance guidelines for consumers to help residents find their best insurance choices. The Government will also help consumers file appeals with their insurance company when a dispute arises relating to the policy coverage or terms. And, the State-level Government has the duty of administering the State's Medicare program where Federally funded insurance is available to low income families, children who do not have health insurance, qualified seniors, or self-employed persons.