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Is Private Health Insurance Cheaper Than ACA in Ohio?
Short answer: for a healthy person who doesn't qualify for a subsidy, yes, usually by a wide margin. For everyone else, usually no. Here's the math behind that.
When private wins in Ohio
Take a healthy 42-year-old in Columbus earning $95,000. On HealthCare.gov with no subsidy, a Silver plan from Anthem, Medical Mutual of Ohio, CareSource, Oscar, and Ambetter is roughly $650–$800 a month in 2026. A private PPO on the Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO network for the same person is roughly $380–$480. That's $3,000–$4,500 a year, with a broader network.
When ACA wins in Ohio
Same person earning $45,000: the premium tax credit could bring that Silver plan under $200 a month. No private plan competes with that. Same person with Type 1 diabetes or a recent cancer diagnosis: private plans may decline or exclude; the marketplace accepts them at the same price as anyone else. Medicaid is expanded in Ohio.
What "cheaper" has to include
Compare out-of-pocket maximums, not just premiums. Many private PPOs have individual out-of-pocket caps around $6,000–$9,000, similar to marketplace Silver plans. Check that your doctors are in the PPO network. And remember private plans are month to month — if your income drops into subsidy range during the year, you can move to the marketplace at the next open enrollment or life event.
The Ohio factor
Ohio's three big metros each have their own dominant health systems, so people who live in one city and work or travel in another often need a network that crosses them.
We run both quotes for every client — it's the only honest way to answer the question. Start here.