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Mental Health Awareness Month
by Judith L. French, Director
Ensuring Ohioans have access to mental health care is a major priority for Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Insurance.
When it comes to accessing mental health care with insurance, that effort can be challenging for different reasons, but free assistance is available to make things clearer and less stressful.
Launched under the leadership of Governor DeWine, the Ohio Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA), which is part of the Ohio Department of Insurance, is the state's official resource to help consumers, mental health advocates, behavioral health providers, employers, and other stakeholders understand and access mental health and substance use disorder insurance benefits so Ohioans get the treatment they need.
With May designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to share what MHIA does and how you can take advantage of the program's educational information and services:
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Free Assistance: MHIA offers free information and services to individuals, families, behavioral health providers, caretakers, and more needing help accessing mental health and substance use disorder benefits in health insurance plans.
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Comprehensive Support: MHIA assists individuals with any type of health insurance to aid in understanding insurance benefits, appealing claim denials, and navigating mental health parity related questions. If someone contacts the office with a plan that is not regulated by the Ohio Department of Insurance or is uninsured, staff provide a referral to the appropriate organization.
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Educational Outreach: Education and engagement are prioritized, with MHIA producing materials, hosting informational sessions, and conducting trainings to empower consumers, employers, advocates, and providers with mental health insurance knowledge.
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Key Partnerships: The office collaborates with various entities including the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, RecoveryOhio, Ohio Department of Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Labor, among other organizations.
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Referral Assistance: While not offering clinical support, MHIA ensures individuals in crisis are referred to appropriate resources like the Ohio Careline or the 988 crisis line.
MHIA staff are available to provide assistance at 855-GET-MHIA and getmhia@insurance.ohio.gov. Please visit insurance.ohio.gov/getmhia for more information.
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"Ohio, the Heart of Opportunity" In-Demand Jobs Week
The State of Ohio's seventh annual In-Demand Jobs Week, May 6-10, has arrived and the theme is "Ohio, the Heart of Opportunity."
This special week is designed to promote Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest-growing industries through hiring, education, and training events. From internships to apprenticeships, and important and rewarding careers across all business sectors, including the insurance industry, there are plenty of opportunities in Ohio! The Ohio insurance industry is one of the largest employers in Ohio and a mainstay of the economy with dynamic and well-paying opportunities in different career paths.
Also, be sure to check out the Ohio top jobs list and job search tool.
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New to Medicare? Don't Miss an OSHIIP "Welcome to Medicare" Event
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), the state's official Medicare educational and counseling resource, is holding a series of statewide "Welcome to Medicare" in-person and virtual events in May, which is Older Americans Month, and June for Ohioans new to Medicare.
During the events, OSHIIP staff provide an overview of Medicare coverage options, prescription drug coverage, supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, eligibility, enrollment, financial assistance, and important deadlines.
OSHIIP is a program of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
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How to Avoid Contractor Fraud
After damaging weather, home repair contractors go door-to-door to offer roofing, siding, and other repair services.
While most contractors are reputable, there are some dishonest contractors that prey on consumers eager to get their property and lives back in order. In 2023, U.S. insurers paid more than $95 billion in catastrophe losses, with upwards of 10 percent or $9.5 billion lost to post-disaster fraud.
Contractor Fraud Awareness Week is May 20-24, and the Ohio Department of Insurance has tips to help Ohioans protect themselves and their hard-earned money.
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Ohio's Average Auto and Homeowners Insurance Premiums Among Lowest in Country
Information recently released from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) indicates that Ohio insurance consumers pay among the lowest average auto and homeowners insurance premiums in the country.
Ohioans paid an average of $776 (eighth lowest) for auto insurance and $920 (seventh lowest) for homeowners insurance in 2021, the most recent data available from the NAIC.
Those figures compare to the national averages of $1,062 and $1,411, respectively.
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NAIC Adopts First National Climate Resilience Strategy for Insurance
Putting the focus on reducing losses and speeding recovery from natural disasters, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), of which the Ohio Department of Insurance is a member, adopted the first-ever NAIC National Climate Resilience Strategy for Insurance to protect the nation’s property insurance market, consumers, and communities.
The goal of the strategy is to drive faster and more effective risk reduction by state insurance regulators to ensure that insurance continues to be available and reliable as a crucial backbone to communities facing climate risks.
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The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Text 988 or CHAT WITH THE 988 LIFELINE.
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