SHORT-TERM MEDICAL PLANS

Quick and Easy Sign Up  |  A Short Term Health Insurance plan is much more affordable than an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan. Since a short-term plan does not have to cap out-of-pocket costs like an ACA-compliant plan, it can be availed with higher deductibles and much lower premiums.

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What are Short-Term Medical Plans?

Short-term health insurance is exactly what it sounds like—a policy that offers short-term protection, often lasting from a few months to a year. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not regulate short-term health insurance, so plans are not required to offer the basic health benefits as required by the ACA. 

Short-term plans are also exempt from covering pre-existing diseases. (These benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital care, mental health services, and prescription drug coverage.) The plans are intended for healthy individuals and typically feature restrictions on the amount members would pay for particular services or overall.

Although certain states have stricter regulations regarding duration, short-term health insurance plans can have initial periods of up to 364 days and be renewed for up to three years. In contrast to the open enrollment period for marketplace plans, which is only available once a year, you can enroll in this temporary coverage at any time during the year.

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Who should get short-term health insurance?

The Uninsured

Individuals between jobs or waiting for employer-based coverage

Those transitioning out of a welfare program

Recent college graduates

Veterans transitioning out of military service on their way to school or a job

Individuals who missed the open enrollment period and are locked out of coverage

Retirees who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare

Young adults leaving their parents’ plans

How Much Does Short-Term Health Insurance Cost?

Major medical insurance is often far more expensive than short-term health insurance. In contrast to major medical coverage, which costs at least $225 per month, short-term policies start as low as $55 per month*.

* Actual costs vary by zip code, age, gender, and other factors. Find out what might be available for you by getting a customized quote.

What Does Short-Term Health Insurance Cover?

The type of short-term health insurance you receive will depend on the plan you select. The majority of short-term insurance policies will pay for unexpected hospital stays, specific prescription drugs, and some non-pre-existing condition-related medical visits.

The majority of short-term health insurance policies exclude coverage for, among other things, mental health services, maternity care, and treatment for pre-existing diseases. The core health benefits and protections provided by Affordable Care Act plans are not guaranteed by short-term plans. Short-term insurance policies could also feature waiting periods during which specific pre-existing conditions are not covered. You can lose coverage for some conditions that become into pre-existing conditions if you end one term of a short-term plan and then start another, and you might have to start over with any deductible or waiting period requirements in your plan. When your short-term coverage expires, you might not be able to renew it or purchase another short-term plan. Additionally, most short-term insurance policies include a cap on how much they will cover in total.

To understand the restrictions on your coverage, be sure to thoroughly read the details of your plan. To examine your plan’s coverage, restrictions, and limitations, you must review the official documentation for your plan since the overview provided above is merely general advice.

Who qualifies for short-term health insurance?

You may be required to reveal any pre-existing conditions that may prevent you from being eligible for coverage under a temporary health insurance plan in order to qualify for short-term health insurance. Some insurance providers may also disqualify you if you:

  • are pregnant
  • presently covered by another policy
  • are a woman or a guy who weighs more than 250 pounds or more than 300 pounds.
  • have received an HIV or AIDS diagnosis or treatment
  • qualify for Medicaid 
  • not an American citizen

Please be aware that this is not a complete list of the grounds for why you can be rejected for a short-term plan. Plan requirements will change depending on the carrier.

How to Choose the Best Plan for You

Be aware that there may be options to short-term health insurance if you’re thinking about getting it. For example, if you experienced a qualifying life event, like losing your job, you may be entitled to enroll in an ACA-compliant plan through the marketplace at any time.

If you’ve determined that short-term health insurance is the best option for you, there are a number of things to think about to make sure you’re selecting the finest plan for your requirements. You may want to ask yourself the following:

  • Does the plan have a provider network?
  • Does the plan offer any coverage before the deductible is met? How high is the deductible? If not, think about your ability to pay the deductible out of pocket if necessary. Deductibles differ significantly amongst plans. Additionally, make sure your copay fits into your budget by checking it.
  • Does the plan provide medication coverage? If the answer is no, consider if you have enough money in savings to cover the cost of your drugs upfront.
  • Does the plan have an expiration date and is it renewable?

 

Want to Shop Short-Term Plans?

*By completing this form, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone,email,text, mail or face to face to answer your questions or provide additional information about your Medicare plan options. Not affiliated or endorsed by Medicare or any state or federal governmental agency.