Short Term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance plans provide you with coverage for a limited period of time, and may be an ideal solution for those between jobs or those waiting for other health insurance to start. Typically, short-term plans offer coverage up to six months, although some plans may offer coverage up to 12 months. If you think you'll need coverage for a longer period of time, you may want to look at a standard, longer-term health insurance option like our individual and family health insurance plans.

The application process for short-term health insurance is usually simpler than standard, longer-term health insurance. Short-term health insurance plans are designed to protect against unforeseen accidents or illnesses, rather than to provide comprehensive coverage, and, as such, typically do not include coverage for preventive care, physicals, immunizations, dental or vision care.

Purchasing a short-term medical insurance plan will make you ineligible for any guaranteed issue individual health plans commonly referred to as HIPAA Plans. HIPAA plans are usually very expensive and are generally intended for people with pre-existing medical conditions who would have trouble getting health insurance otherwise. If you wish to maintain your eligibility for HIPAA plans, you should not purchase a short-term plan. Please consult your benefits advisor to discuss your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other rights under state law.

Short-term health insurance plans typically do not cover pre-existing medical conditions. The definition of a pre-existing condition varies by state, but, in general, short-term health insurance policies exclude coverage for conditions that have been diagnosed or treated within the previous 3 to 5 years. If you have an existing medical condition, you may want to research whether you can extend your current insurance. Employer-sponsored insurance can be extended under a government-regulated option commonly referred to as COBRA, which you should seriously consider if you have an existing medical condition.

If you're between jobs, waiting for coverage from another health insurance plan to start, laid off, on strike, a recent college graduate or seasonal employee and know that you only need coverage for a specific period of time, short-term health insurance may be a great option for you.

At the end of your coverage term, most health insurance companies will allow you to re-apply for another short-term plan. These plans do not typically constitute an automatic continuation of your first plan. Many short-term health insurance plans only allow you to re-apply once.

Most short-term health insurance plans have a minimum coverage period of 30 days. Even if you only need coverage for less than 30 days, you can either:

• Make a single payment upfront for 30 days of coverage, or
• Select the monthly payment option, and then cancel your coverage when you no longer need it. Please note that you will not be refunded for partial months of coverage.

Short Term Medical Insurance is a temporary health insurance plan designed for people who are without health insurance and are waiting for longer term, major medical insurance coverage. Please review your policy terms for the maximum coverage period allowed by the plan you selected.

Short Term Medical Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions.

Insurance companies limit the number of times a Short Term Medical Insurance policy may be renewed. Often the policy may not be renewed after the initial term. This type of insurance should not be used as an alternative to longer term, major medical health insurance.

Purchasing a Short term medical insurance plan will make you ineligible for any guaranteed issue individual health plans commonly referred to as HIPAA Plans. Therefore, if you wish to maintain your eligibility for HIPAA plans, you should not purchase a Short term plan. Please consult your benefits advisor to discuss your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other rights under state law.