Short-Term Health Insurance
Bridge coverage for life's transitions - job changes, waiting periods, early retirement. Understand what short-term plans cover and what they don't before you buy.
Who Short-Term Health Insurance Is For
Short-term plans fill a specific niche: healthy people who need temporary coverage and can't access ACA plans due to missed enrollment windows or cost. They are NOT a substitute for comprehensive coverage if you have ongoing health needs.
Key Limitations to Understand
Unlike ACA plans, short-term policies can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, have annual and lifetime benefit limits, exclude essential health benefits, and are not guaranteed renewable. Some states (California, New York, Massachusetts) ban or severely restrict short-term plans.
How to Compare Short-Term Plans
When comparing plans, focus on: the exclusion list for pre-existing conditions, the benefit maximum (some plans cap at $250,000 - others at $2 million), whether prescription drugs are covered, and the network of doctors and hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is short-term health insurance?
Short-term health insurance provides temporary medical coverage for a limited period - typically 1 to 12 months, with some states allowing renewals up to 36 months. It's designed to fill gaps between major medical coverage.
What does short-term health insurance NOT cover?
Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant and typically exclude: pre-existing conditions, maternity care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, preventive care, and prescription drugs. Read the policy carefully.
Who should consider short-term health insurance?
Short-term plans work well for: people between jobs who missed the SEP window, young healthy adults who can't afford ACA premiums, people waiting for employer coverage to start, early retirees before Medicare eligibility.
Is short-term health insurance cheaper than ACA?
Yes - short-term premiums are typically 50-80% cheaper than ACA plans. But the lower cost reflects less coverage. If you have pre-existing conditions or need comprehensive coverage, ACA is usually the better choice.
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