Healthcare when you work for yourself in Cincinnati

Start with the care you need

SakeOf is a healthcare membership built around a more active way to pay for and navigate care. Instead of beginning every question with a traditional insurance process, members can use selected everyday-care services, choose where to seek in-person care, and ask for support when a bill needs a closer look.

The practical first step is to match the need to the right route. A minor, suitable concern may be handled virtually; ongoing care may call for a primary-care relationship; and a test, specialist visit, or hospital service may mean arranging local in-person care. For an emergency, seek emergency care rather than using a routine virtual-care path.

Use everyday care when it fits

When selected and active, Zero Copay Telemedicine provides access to telemedicine at zero dollars under its program terms. Rx and Prescription Benefits, when selected and active, add the program’s prescription feature. A prescription does not mean every medication or pharmacy expense is included, so check the feature details and expected cost for the specific medication.

Mental Health and Counseling, when selected and active with its required features, offers on-demand telephonic counseling at no cost for included access, with 24/7 access to master’s-level counseling professionals. Up to three face-to-face counseling consultations per incident may be available when arranged through the program. Psychiatry, inpatient care, emergency psychiatric care, and medication costs are separate from the counseling access described here.

Virtual Primary Care is an optional feature that adds a dedicated physician relationship, an annual virtual wellness visit, and ongoing follow-up, chronic-care, or medication-management support when clinically appropriate for virtual care. It requires active Rx and Prescription Benefits, Zero Copay Telemedicine, and Mental Health and Counseling. If the care needs an exam, lab, imaging, or in-person follow-up, plan for that service separately and confirm how it will be handled.

Choose local in-person care with a clear plan

For primary or dental care in Cincinnati, the city lists six City of Cincinnati Primary Care community health centers and provides 513-357-7320 for appointment information. Call to ask which center offers the service you need, whether appointments are available, and what charges or arrangements apply. A city listing is a useful starting point, not confirmation of access.

Hamilton County Public Health’s clinical-services clinic is at 5050 Section Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212, and lists STI/HIV testing and treatment, tuberculosis services, and support for eligible families through the Children with Medical Handicaps program. Call 513-946-7610 to verify current services, eligibility, and fees before visiting.

When you need a hospital, specialist, lab, or imaging, choose the provider that fits the care need and your plans. UC Health offers a route to request a patient estimate; TriHealth lists Cincinnati-area hospital locations and financial assistance information. Ask the facility directly about service availability, expected charges, and any applicable participation before scheduled care. Estimates and listings do not establish a final bill or appointment access.

Medicare users can search and compare approved providers through Medicare Care Compare, then contact providers to confirm current availability and costs. Ohio Medicaid information, including benefits and provider directories, is available through the state’s official portal. Those statewide tools do not confirm what is available at a particular address or what an individual will pay.

Bring confusing bills into the advocacy process

If a charge seems unclear or unusually high, SakeOf’s Full Service advocacy can help with bill verification, fair-price review, and negotiation support. Keep the itemized bill and any explanations or payment requests together, and ask SakeOf what documentation and steps apply to your situation. Advocacy is a support process, not a promise of a particular price or outcome.

An itemized bill should include service dates, provider information, and CPT or HCPCS codes when available. SakeOf may also request records, clinical notes, diagnosis or procedure details, provider documentation, billing records, or a signed release. Submit complete documents within six months of the service date; submit a balance bill, denial, or payment demand within 10 days of receiving it.

Understand support for larger eligible events

For a larger eligible medical event, the SakeOf process involves an applicable member commitment and voluntary community funding, subject to program terms and review. Contact SakeOf in advance for planned higher-cost care when reasonably possible, and keep membership current, respond to documentation requests, and fund required asks. Eligibility and the amount or availability of support are determined under the applicable program rules, not by the size of a provider’s estimate alone.

Before planned care, ask the provider for an estimate and ask SakeOf what to submit and when. This gives you a clearer sequence: plan the service, verify the bill and documentation, and follow the program’s review process for any eligible event.

Choose other options around your needs

Members can consider optional Maternity Care, chiropractic and acupuncture, physical and occupational therapy, durable medical equipment, and dental and vision discounts. Each feature has its own monthly adjustment and applies only when selected, active, eligible, and otherwise consistent with program rules. Check the relevant feature before arranging care or buying equipment.

Dental and vision discounts work through participating providers, with the member paying the provider at the applicable discounted rate. Discounts vary and are not guaranteed at every provider. Routine dental and vision expenses are not community-shared under the stated program terms, so confirm the provider’s price and feature details first.

Take a useful next step

• Estimate your membership: Use the calculator to review the options that match the kinds of care you expect to use.
• Plan a bill question: Read the Savings Guide and gather the itemized bill and related documents.
• Find a local route: Use provider search, then contact the provider to confirm services, availability, and expected charges. For city primary-care appointments, call 513-357-7320.
• Talk through your situation: Ask Jordan or review membership options before choosing features.