What is Short-Term Health Insurance?
Short-term health insurance is temporary coverage that helps you during a time of transition in your life. Short-term plans are called temporary for a reason. They don’t provide the comprehensive health coverage you may be looking for, but can definitely come in handy. For example, many people turn to temporary health insurance plans between jobs and use it as a way to keep themselves, and their families protected in the event of a medical emergency. Some events which can trigger the need for this type of coverage are:
Short-term medical insurance policies are perfect for individuals and families in these situations.
- Loss of a job
- Waiting for a new job to begin
- Needing an alternative to an expensive COBRA plan after leaving an employer
- Coverage required for a school activity
- A college student just out of school
- A child is too old for dependent coverage
- Needing coverage as a bridge to Medicare
Short-term medical insurance policies are perfect for individuals and families in these situations.
We all love permanence in life. However, the reality is that sometimes life happens and we find ourselves in a situation needing a temporary solution. When it comes to having a temporary need for health insurance coverage, the best solution for you may be short-term health insurance.
How Short-Term Health Insurance Plans Work
Short-term health insurance works just like any other health insurance plan would. First, you begin by finding the right policy, which is going to take a bit of time and effort unless you use tools like FirstQuote Health. The next step is to get yourself enrolled, and with short-term health plans, the enrollment process can happen on the same day. Once enrolled, you pay a monthly premium, which is a payment you make, typically each month, that gives you access to a network of providers who offer negotiated rates.
Once you are covered, you will receive a policy number from your short-term health insurance company, along with a coverage card. Just present either to your medical service provider and in most cases, all claims will be filed directly with your health insurance provider.
Even though you pay a monthly premium and are covered, you will still be required to pay some out-of-pocket costs. With temporary plans, your out-of-pocket expenses tend to be a little higher than with traditional health insurance plans. Out-of-pocket costs don’t include your premium but will include added costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance which can all add up quickly.
Do Short-Term Health Insurance Plans Qualify Under Obamacare (The affordable care act)?
No, short-term coverage was not, and still does not fall under the category of qualified health plans. When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed, it forced every American to enroll in qualifying coverage, which met the minimum essential standards for benefits or face a tax penalty.
The purpose of the newly implemented piece of legislation was to drive Americans away from skimpy health insurance plans, which often offered little coverage, and towards policies that actually provided benefits. Temporary plans are traditionally lower quality plans that don’t cover much of the minimum essential benefits, like preventive care services and mental health benefits which are required by the affordable care act.
Depending on whether your state enforces an individual mandate, you may no longer have to worry about facing a penalty for being enrolled in short-term coverage, or forgoing health insurance altogether. President Trump removed the individual mandate early on in his presidency and shot these temporary coverage options back into the spotlight. Trump even added some new rules that allow you to extend your short-term coverage even outside of open enrollment, making it a viable option for health insurance in 2020.
What’s the difference between medical insurance through the affordable care act and short term medical insurance plans?
While the ultimate goal of medical insurance is to protect you from expensive medical bills in the event of sickness or an accident, there are many differences to consider when choosing the right type of health insurance. Luckily with FirstQuote Health we can connect you with insurance agents that are licensed and trained to guide you through the process of choosing between short term plans and affordable care act health plans. The table below will help to explain the differences between term health insurance plans and insurance coverage available through the affordable care act.
These are just some of the many conditions that you should consider when deciding between a traditional medical insurance plan and short term plans. Depending on when you’re looking to enroll, unless you have a qualifying event you’ll need to wait until an open enrollment period or special enrollment period in order to qualify in traditional health plans. While short term medical plans provide health benefits when you need them the most.
How Much It Will Cost You
Short-term health insurance policies typically range from $50 to $200 per month, depending on the policy and coverage limits. In most cases, the lower the premium of a short-term health insurance plan, the less benefits it provides. Similar to other health plans, short-term insurance can also include deductibles and copayments. Additionally, depending on the specific terms of your policy, there may be limits placed on how much you are able to claim in medical costs in any given year. It is important to understand all of the costs associated with short-term health insurance before making a decision. Short-term coverage may be cheaper, but it doesn’t offer the extensive coverage you may desire and depending on the state that you live in it may not meet the minimum essential coverage set by the affordable care act (ACA).
Short-term medical insurance prices are typically dependent on the following factors, where you live, how long you are looking to stay covered, and the out-of-pocket expenses you are willing to take on. Using FirstQuote Health is the easiest way to shop for and compare short-term insurance quotes in your area.
Find Cheap Short-Term plans
We’ve mentioned that these gap medical care plans don’t really measure up to traditional coverage, but what they lack in benefits, they more than makeup for in pricing. Consider this, short-term health insurance plans, on average, cost around $1,320 annually. Compare that with an average, traditional health care plan through the ACA marketplace, which could cost you around $5,940 annually.
So, if you’re looking for cheap health insurance, all short-term plans would fall into that category. If you’re looking for the cheapest short-term health insurance plans, you’re going to have to do a little digging.
We work with tons of agents and brokers across the country who carry some of the most affordable term health insurance plan options available, including short term insurance plans for those with pre-existing conditions or other health status concerns. To get started, you can enter your zip code, and within minutes you’ll be able to either talk to an experienced professional or compare quotes side by side.
Applying For Coverage
If you’re looking to apply for short-term health plan, you’re going to have to do it off the exchange. Short-term health insurance plans, as mentioned before, still don’t count as qualifying coverage, so they are not allowed to be sold through the marketplace. This also means that you won’t qualify for a subsidy, but these plans will likely still cost you less than what you can find on the exchange.
You can find short-term insurance plans just about anywhere, with the exception of the health insurance marketplace. Most of the major providers offer temporary coverage options, which is good news for you because it means you get a more extensive network of health providers.
Your best bet is to start your search online. The internet offers tons of resources that make shopping cover gap health insurance easier than ever. You can read reviews on short-term insurance to see what others are saying about the current coverage they have, along with comparing plans, health benefits and pricing side by side.
The final step in your application process is actually submitting the paperwork. Temporary health insurance does not require you to wait for open enrollment or special enrollment, once you have found an insurance plan that covers your needs you’re able to sign up the same day.
You have a few options when enrolling for a term insurance plan, but working with an agent or broker will probably be easiest. You can opt to apply with an insurer directly, in which case, you will have to follow their application instructions which may vary.
Short-Term Health Insurance Coverage
Short-term health insurance can provide coverage for a variety of services and costs related to medical care. Coverage may include doctor visits, emergency room care, hospitalization, certain preventive care services, diagnostic exams such as x-rays and lab tests, prescription drugs, and some rehabilitation services. It’s important to note that short-term policies typically do not cover maternity care or mental health treatment, so it’s especially important to understand the limitations before signing up for any plan. Additionally, many policies have annual or lifetime coverage limits so make sure you are aware of these before enrolling in a plan.
Short Term Health Insurance Quotes
You have two options when searching for health short-term health insurance quotes. You can browse through different company websites and see what they have to offer, or you can use free comparison sites like FirstQuote Health.
FirstQuote Health makes finding short-term health insurance quotes easy by working with a wide range of independent health insurance brokers and agents who are licensed in your area. These health insurance professionals will help you find the most affordable short-term health insurance plans in your area, and make sure all your medical needs are met.
Short-Term Health Insurance Pros and Cons
Short-term health insurance can provide an affordable and flexible solution for those who need temporary coverage. Pros of short-term health insurance include the ability to quickly obtain coverage, the lower up-front costs in comparison to long-term plans, and the fact that it is exempt from some ACA provisions like essential health benefits or preexisting conditions. On the other hand, there are some cons to consider when purchasing a plan; most notably, these plans offer fewer benefits than traditional healthcare plans and may not cover certain services at all. Additionally, they have limits on how long coverage will last, so it’s important to check eligibility requirements before enrolling in any plan.