Short Term Health Insurance Is Flexible and Fast.
We know that the life of you and your family can change quickly. That’s why our Short Term Medical insurance plans provide you with the following flexibility:
- Apply any time of year in minutes
- Apply for another term of coverage if needed3
- Select the length of time you want coverage (1 month to just under 12 months in some states)4
- Drop your coverage without penalty
- Choose from a range of available deductible amounts
And with your Short Term Medical insurance coverage starting in many cases as soon as the next day after you apply, you can get the security of that coverage fast, right when you need it.
Temporary health insurance plans may make sense if you are:
- A college student, just out of school, or rolling off your parent’s insurance.
- Between jobs, waiting for benefits to begin at a new job, or need a temporary alternative to COBRA insurance.
- Without health insurance, have missed Open Enrollment and don’t qualify for Special Enrollment, or you are waiting for your Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage to begin.
- Under 65 and in good health, or waiting for Medicare.
- Losing coverage following a divorce.
Are there Cost Advantages to a Short-Term Insurance Plan?
In general, a Short-Term health insurance premium is significantly less than that of an ACA plan. For some people, this is one of the most important factors in choosing what’s affordable health insurance to them. But premium shouldn’t be the only cost consideration.
- With an ACA plan, you may be eligible for tax credits or subsidies for which a Short-Term health insurance plan does not qualify. That won’t make an ACA plan anyone’s idea of cheap health insurance, but it may move the price of the plan much closer to your budget.
- Since a Short-Term insurance plan isn’t required to include the 10 essential health benefits defined in the ACA, you can choose a less expensive plan that offers less coverage.
- An ACA plan covers preexisting conditions, but with a Short-Term plan, you should expect to pay the costs related to preexisting conditions without coverage.
Buying health insurance for the short term may be the right choice for you right now, but it won’t be ACA coverage. Be aware of what you are and aren’t getting for the price.
| Medical Benefits Covered | Short Term Health Insurance Plans | Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Plans |
| Are the following Health Benefits Covered? | ||
| Doctor visits for illness and injury and other outpatient care (ambulatory services) | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency services | Yes | Yes |
| Hospitalization | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity and Newborn Care | Pregnancy not covered, except for complications. Newborn care limited. | Yes |
| Mental Health and Substance use Disorder Services | No coverage or limited coverage, depending on your plan. | Yes |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | Possibly, depending on your plan. | Yes |
| Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services and Devices | Limited. Check your plan. | Yes |
| Laboratory Tests and Services | Yes | Yes |
| Preventive and Wellness Care | Possibly, depending on your plan. | Yes |
| Pediatric Services (including both oral care and vision care) | Possibly, depending on your plan and state. | Yes |
| Other differences to consider when comparing plans | ||
| Apply anytime? | Yes. Get coverage as soon as the day after you apply. | No. Only during open enrollment or qualifying special enrollment |
| Referrals required? | No | Maybe. It depends on the plan. |
| Preexisting conditions covered? | No, and a series of medical questions determines eligibility. | Yes. Plans are guaranteed regardless of health history. |
