Life Happens.
Be Covered When It Does.

There may be a 1,000 reasons why you're currently uninsured. Costs too high, you missed Open Enrollment, or maybe you think that you're healthy so you don't need it. Whatever the reason, a short term health insurance plan may resolve most of those issues. It isn't the right choice for everyone, but it could be the best solution for you.

Short Term Plans From

$ 49mo.*

*National average for a 40 year old, male non-smoker. Prices vary depending on age, carrier & location.

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A Closer Look At Coverage

What is Short Term Health Insurance?

Historically, Short Term Health Insurance has been, as its name implies, a short term solution for health insurance coverage. In recent years, however, and mostly due to ACA plan premium increases, millions of Americans have found Short Term Health Plans to be a way to obtain lower cost health insurance. Short Term Health Plans can cost 50% less than ACA (Obamacare) plans, but with a lower cost comes limited benefits, particularly for people with pre-existing conditions. At ShortTermHealthInsurance.com we're focused on providing you with the facts about these plans and a way to safely connect with major short term health insurance carriers, who are established and vetted.

Here are the key differences between a Short Term Health Plan and an ACA plan:

What You Forfeit With Short Term Insurance

What You Forfeit

Short term health plans can be up to 50% less expensive than traditional medical plans. However, these reduced premium costs usually result in reduced or limited coverage.

Things that aren't usually covered with a short term health plan:
  • Pre-Existing Conditions If you have sought medical treatment for a health condition in the recent past, a short term plan probably won't cover anything related to it.
  • Maternity or Prenatal Care Pregnancies are seen as a high risk or are considered a pre-existing condition and aren't typically covered under any type of short term policy.
  • Prescription Drugs Most short term plans won't cover the cost of prescribed medication. Some plans allow you to add on or will give you a prescription discount card, but this won't always add up to big savings especially for specialty drugs.
What You Gain With Short Term Insurance

What You Gain

Short term health plans are affordable & provide a financial safety net against accidents, unexpected illnesses & emergencies for those who don't have other coverage options.

Things that are usually covered with a short term health plan:
  • Lower Premiums & Deductibles Short term plans are much cheaper than traditional medical plans and can be a great alternative for those who don't frequently seek medical care.
  • Doctor & Urgent Care Visits Have a sore throat? Twisted your ankle? Short term plans can help cover the costs for sick visits to your doctor and urgent care services for accidents and injuries.
  • Emergency & Hospitalization Short term plans grant peace of mind and financial protection. If you become seriously ill or injured, they help cover the costs of hospitalization and treatment.
What You Gamble With Short Term Insurance

What You Gamble

Short term health plans are limited and more specific than ACA-approved medical policies. Many essential health benefits aren't covered and there are caps on benefit payouts.

Things that have limited coverage with a short term health plan:
  • Preventative Care Because short term plans don't fall under the scope of the ACA, they can choose to exclude benefits such as preventive care and mental health.
  • Long-Term Care Short term plans are not renewable and only last up to a year, max. If your are injured or become ill, your coverage may expire before you've finished treatment.
  • Max Benefits & Incident Caps Short term plans usually include term, lifetime and incident caps on benefits. If you have multiple incidents during your term, they may not all be covered.

Rethinking Health Insurance

Who Should Consider Short Term Insurance?

Short term insurance can be a good option for certain people, and it's definitely better than not having any insurance at all. Short term plans are ideal for those who are in transition, whether you need something to fill the gaps between employer-sponsored coverage, you've been dropped from your parents' plan, or you've retired early but don't qualify for Medicare yet.

Sound Like You?

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Apples to Oranges

How Do Short Term Plans Compare?

Short term health insurance plans are a great alternative to ACA plans that will offer financial protection from life's unforeseen medical emergencies. Short term plans are not ideal for everyone, but having a short term plan in place is better than being uninsured.

ACA Health Plans

$ 378

National average cost/month for a 40 year old, male non-smoker.

vs

Short Term Plans

$ 49

National average cost/month for a 40 year old, male non-smoker.

Enroll Anytime, Cancel Anytime
Low Premium & Deductible Options
10 Essential Health Benefits
Covers Pre-Existing Conditions
Doctor & Specialist Visits
Labs, Xrays & Diagnostic Services
ER & Hospital Coverage
Prescription Drug Coverage
Maternity & Prenatal Care
Mental Health & Addiction Services
  • Covered
  • Not Covered
  • Not Usually Covered

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

  • What do short term health insurance plans typically cover?

    These plans vary greatly depending on where you buy the plan and the company you choose. But temporary health plans do tend to feature some of the same benefits. Most plans, for instance, will offer catastrophic coverage for emergencies or unexpected medical events. Here’s what you can expect from many short term policies.

  • What are the Limitations of Short Term Plans?

    Because short term health plans don't fall under the scope of the ACA, they don't have to meet its minimum standards and insurance carriers can exclude benefits as they see fit. Exclusions help keep premiums low, so many plans leave out a number of services. Some of the most common exclusions are preventive care, maternity services and coverage for mental health needs, including counseling sessions and substance abuse treatment. Many short term plans also restrict coverage for prescription drugs. Even if a plan does include some pharmacy services, these may be subject to a separate deductible or maximum payout than the other benefits covered by the plan.

  • Who Should Avoid Short Term Health Insurance?

    While a temporary health plan can be a good idea in some circumstances, it might not be the best option for certain groups or individuals. Those who should avoid short-term health insurance include: anyone with a pre-existing condition, pregnant women, young families, people with mental health or substance abuse problems, senior citizens, people who need regular prescriptions, those without any savings, and those who want comprehensive, long-term coverage.

  • How Long Does Short Term Health Insurance Last?

    Typically, the shortest duration period for a temporary plan is one month. Some plans allow you to select a specific number of days for the policy to last. Other plans last up to three months, but some policies allow you to cancel before your contract ends, especially if you pay month to month instead of all at once.

  • Who Should Buy Short Term Health Insurance?

    Everyone benefits from some form of health insurance. Even if you're young and healthy, an accident or unexpected medical crisis can be financially devastating. A temporary health plan might be a good choice for you if: you're young and in good health; you are not eligible for ACA special enrollment; you don't have chronic or pre-existing conditions; you expect to face a short gap in coverage; you're struggling financially but ineligible for subsidies; and/or you're facing an unanticipated loss in coverage and don't want to risk being uninsured.