Ohio Medicare 2026
Medicare in Ohio serves about 2.6 million beneficiaries, with 51% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $138/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $44/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
2.6 million
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
51%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$138/mo
New enrollee, age 65
Ohio Medicare Quick Facts (2026)
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available (2026) | 212 plans | Statewide total — fewer available in your county (CMS) |
| Average MA premium (2026) | $13.54/mo | was $14.26/mo in 2025 (CMS) |
| $0-premium MA plans | Available | 100% of beneficiaries have $0-plan access (CMS) |
| Stand-alone Part D plans (2026) | 10 plans, lowest $0/mo | Adds drug coverage to Original Medicare (CMS) |
| Top MA carriers | UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Ohio, Medical Mutual of Ohio | Networks differ by county |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth are major MA network anchors; Medical Mutual of Ohio is a strong regional Medigap and MA carrier. |
MA plan counts, average premiums, and $0-premium availability are CMS 2026 figures (state fact sheet); Medigap and top-carrier details are editorial estimates. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month, Part B deductible $283, Part D out-of-pocket cap $2,100. Verify plans at medicare.gov.
Ohio Medicare: Cleveland Clinic's National Draw and a Highly Competitive MA Market
Ohio's Medicare market is among the most competitive in the Midwest, driven by the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metropolitan areas — each with robust insurer competition and nationally recognized health systems. Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are world-renowned academic medical centers that draw patients from across Ohio and nationally under Original Medicare. OhioHealth and OhioState University Wexner Medical Center anchor the Columbus market. UC Health and TriHealth serve Cincinnati. Medical Mutual of Ohio is a distinctive regional carrier with a strong Medigap and MA presence that competes directly with national giants UnitedHealthcare and Anthem.
Ohio's MA enrollment at about 51% is above the national average, driven by competitive $0-premium plans particularly in the Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati suburbs. Medigap Plan G averages about $138/month in Ohio — moderate and accessible. Southeastern Ohio and the Appalachian region face provider shortages and hospital closures, making Original Medicare with Medigap more practical for beneficiaries in those communities. Ohio has no birthday rule or annual Medigap switching protections. The state's OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program) provides free counseling services and is a respected resource for beneficiaries navigating plan options.
What to Know About Medicare in Ohio
Original Medicare + Medigap path
In Ohio, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage path
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 51% of Ohio beneficiaries currently choose MA.
Medigap switching rights in your state
No state annual GI rights; Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth are major MA network anchors; Medical Mutual of Ohio is a strong regional Medigap and MA carrier.
Ohio Pro Tip
Medicare FAQs — Ohio
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Ohio?
+
Ohio beneficiaries in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati typically have access to 70 or more Medicare Advantage plans. Mid-sized cities like Dayton, Toledo, and Akron generally offer 40 to 60 options. Rural southeast Ohio and the Appalachian region may have 20 to 30 plans available, with network adequacy varying by county.
What is the average Medigap Plan G premium in Ohio?
+
The average Medigap Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Ohio is approximately $138 per month. Medical Mutual of Ohio, Cigna, Aetna, and Mutual of Omaha are among the major Plan G carriers competing in the state. Ohio's competitive market generally keeps premiums reasonable compared to Northeast or coastal states.
Can I switch Medigap plans in Ohio without medical underwriting?
+
Ohio does not have a birthday rule or annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap. Outside your 6-month initial open enrollment at 65 or qualifying federal events, insurers can apply medical underwriting. Ohio residents can contact the free OSHIIP counseling service for personalized guidance on Medigap and Medicare Advantage options.
Related Guides
Medicare Advantage plan counts, average premiums, and $0-premium availability are from CMS — 2026 Medicare Advantage & Part D State-by-State Fact Sheet (August 2026), cross-checked against KFF. Medigap Plan G and Part D averages are editorial estimates. See the full Ohio Medicare plan landscape at /tools/medicare-plan-landscape/ohio. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed August 2026
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