State of Ohio Selects Medical Mutual of Ohio to Operate Temporary High Risk Pool Program

The Ohio Department of Insurance Director has announced that the State of Ohio plans to designate Medical Mutual of Ohio as the non-profit entity that will operate the temporary high risk pool program for Ohioans, as created through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in order to provide uninsured people with pre-existing conditions the opportunity to purchase more affordable health insurance.

The Department of Insurance recently has submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicating that Medical Mutual will operate the Ohio temporary high risk pool. The agency will collaborate with Medical Mutual and HHS to detail the logistics of the program and to obtain final approval from HHS as to Ohio’s plan for implementing the program.

The Temporary High Risk Pool is a federally subsidized health plan, authorized under the Affordable Care Act, which makes coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions more affordable for people who cannot purchase health insurance in the private market because of their health status. In their proposal, Medical Mutual estimated that with the available funding they could cover more than 5,000 Ohioans through the duration of the program, with individuals paying a standard rate premium for their coverage. No state funds will be used to provide this coverage.