Key takeaways

  • Over 2.5 million Ohio residents are enrolled in Medicare, with access to various plans including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and prescription drug coverage.
  • To qualify for Medicare in Ohio, you generally need to be 65 years or older or under 65 years with specific health conditions or disabilities.
  • When selecting a Medicare plan in Ohio, it’s important to consider factors like healthcare needs, budget, and prescription drug requirements.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years and older, as well as people of any age who have certain health conditions and disabilities.

It’s made up of four parts:

  • Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) are known as Original Medicare.
  • Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare.
  • Part D, which is prescription drug coverage.

You can also purchase a supplemental insurance plan (Medigap) to help cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are not eligible for Medigap.

Read on to learn more about your Medicare options in Ohio and when to enroll.

Snapshot of Medicare in Ohio

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Ohio for the 2026 plan year:

  • A total of 2,561,241 residents of Ohio are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium changed from $14.26 in 2025 to $13.54 in 2026.
  • There are 212 Medicare Advantage plans available in Ohio for 2026, compared with 217 plans in 2025.
  • All Ohio residents with Medicare have access to buy a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 premium.
  • For 2026, 10 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans are available in Ohio, and the lowest monthly premium for a stand-alone Part D plan is $0.
  • 21.72% of people with a stand-alone Part D plan get Extra Help.
  • As in most states, 10 different Medigap plans are offered in Ohio for 2026.

In Ohio, as in other states, Medicare includes several types of coverage:

  • Original Medicare: Original Medicare is managed by the federal government and includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). It doesn’t include prescription drug coverage.
  • Medicare Advantage (Part C): These plans are offered by private insurers and include all Original Medicare benefits along with other perks such as vision, dental, and drug coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans have limited provider networks, so beneficiaries should confirm their doctors are in-network before enrolling.
  • Medicare Part D: This is a private, stand-alone plan for prescription drug coverage. People can pair Part D with Original Medicare or with a Part C plan that doesn’t include drug benefits.
  • Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance): Medigap plans are private plans that help pay for out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare, such as copays and coinsurance. Medigap cannot be used with Medicare Advantage. A person can choose among 10 standardized plans.

Availability of private plans varies by county, and beneficiaries can check Medicare.gov for local options.

If you live in Ohio, you can qualify for Medicare at age 65 years if you’re a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least 5 years. If you’re under 65 years, you may also qualify through disability or by living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

When choosing a plan, consider provider networks, costs, and quality ratings. You may be able to join a plan or modify your coverage during one or more of the following enrollment periods:

  • Initial enrollment: Enroll 3 months before to 3 months after the month of your 65th birthday.
  • Open enrollment: Join or change plans from October 15 to December 7.
  • Medicare Advantage open enrollment: Switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31.
  • Special enrollment period: Enroll after a life change, such as losing job-based coverage.

If you’re eligible for Medicare due to a disability, you’ll be automatically enrolled. If you’re eligible based on age, you’ll need to enroll yourself.

Choose a plan that:

  • has doctors you like and facilities convenient to your location
  • covers the services you need
  • provides affordable coverage
  • has a high star rating for quality and patient satisfaction from CMS

Medicare has a helpline with staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding some federal holidays) to answer your questions. You can call Medicare at 800-633-4227 (TTY: 877-486-2048).

For personalized health insurance counseling, contact Ohio’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 800-686-1578.

More than 2.5 million Ohio residents are enrolled in Medicare. Several private insurance companies offer various types of Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans throughout the state.

Overall, monthly premium costs have decreased for 2026 Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio. There are also several Medigap plan options if you live in Ohio and are looking for additional coverage.