What is short-term medical insurance?| Insurance.com

Who should get short-term health insurance?

Short-term health insurance suits people who need temporary coverage during a gap between comprehensive health plans. You might consider it after leaving a job, while waiting for new employer-sponsored coverage to begin, or during another short transition. It is not suitable if you need comprehensive benefits or ongoing treatment for a pre-existing condition.

This type of plan may be right for you if:

You are transitioning between jobs or health plans
You have recently graduated from college and need a bridge before starting your job's HMO/PPO plan
You leave your current job, but don't qualify for COBRA benefits
You wait too long to get on the Affordable Care Act exchange, or there is an emergency situation.

Short-term plans usually have lower premiums, more flexibility, and customizable options than traditional long-term health insurance policies. Be sure to review all of your insurance options carefully before making the decision that's best for you.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a short-term health insurance plan?

Short-term health insurance plans offer low premiums, flexible coverage options, and a way to fill temporary gaps in health coverage. However, they provide fewer benefits than comprehensive health insurance and provide coverage for a limited time. Review the benefits, exclusions, and costs before choosing a plan.

The advantages of short-term medical insurance plans include

Low premiums
Flexible coverage options
Ability to bridge gaps in healthcare coverage.

The disadvantages of short-term life insurance policies include

Limited benefits compared to other types of life insurance plans
Shorter coverage terms (typically 1-6 months)
The potential for pre-existing condition exclusions

Be sure to review your options carefully before deciding what type of plan is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

Do short-term health insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions?

No. Traditional short-term plans typically do not offer protection against pre-existing health conditions, while an Affordable Care Act-compliant High Deductible Health Plan covers such ailments.

Is short-term health insurance worth it?

Short-term health insurance is worth considering if you need temporary coverage and understand its limits. It has lower premiums than many comprehensive plans but offers fewer benefits and excludes pre-existing conditions.