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Short-Term Health Insurance

Plans start as low as $0.59* per day

  • Affordable,
    flexible plans
  • Coverage starts
    as soon as tomorrow
  • Coverage until the next open
    enrollment period
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Short-term plans can help in these situations:

  • Change of employment

    Laid off? Job loss? Get covered in between jobs and employee benefits.

  • Missed open enrollment

    You may be able to get coverage now, before the next enrollment period.

  • Special activities

    Need proof of insurance?A short-term plan can be quick and affordable.

  • Before Medicare

    Waiting for coverage?A short-term plan can protect you in the meantime.

Short-term plans are temporary coverage with limited benefits. They are not ACA-compliant, don't cover pre-existing conditions, and are not guaranteed-issue. You may still be subject to the tax penalty.

Shop Short-Term Plans

3,600+ plans from 16 carriers

Short-term health plans offer:

  • Affordable rates

    Compared to other plans, short-term insurance can have low, affordable premiums.

  • Peace of mind

    Don't fly without a safety net. A short-term health plan can help you bridge a coverage gap.

  • Quick approval

    Many applicants are approved and get proof of insurance quickly, sometimes on the spot.

  • Flexible terms

    Short-term plans can cover you for any period from 30 days up to 12 months.

  • Open Enrollment Period

    The next period when you can enroll in a major medical plan starts November 15, 2014. Until then, be sure you're covered.

Short-term medical insurance is not guaranteed-issue and is a temporary health insurance plan designed for people who are without health insurance and are waiting for longer term, major medical insurance coverage. Read important information and disclaimers about short term health insurance.

Note that short-term health insurance is not considered minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and you may be subject to the tax penalty if you do not maintain appropriate coverage. Learn more about the ACA and the tax penalty in our Affordable Care Act Resource Center.

* We encourage you to review all insurance plans available in your area, carefully read all insurance plan details, and consider your or your family's specific needs before choosing an insurance plan. You can review plan details by clicking the Details link for each insurance plan. You can also make detailed comparisons of up to four plans at a time by checking the box to the left of each insurance plan and clicking the Compare button. If you need any more information, please call us so that one of our representatives can assist you. All prices are based on ideal census information. Your price may be higher.

What is 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 and 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 major medical health insurance option like one of our individual and family health insurance plans.

It is also important to note that short-term health insurance is not considered minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare), and even if you enroll in and maintain short-term coverage, you may still be subject to the tax penalty. Please visit our Affordable Care Act Resource Center for more information about the ACA and its implications.

The application process for short-term health insurance is usually simpler than standard, longer-term health insurance. Short-term health insurance plans are designed only to protect against unforeseen accidents or illnesses, and, therefore, 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. 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.

Why would I want coverage for a limited amount of time?

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.

What happens when I reach the end of my coverage period?

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.

Important Information about Short Term Health Insurance

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.

Important Information About Short Term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance is a temporary plan designed for people who don't currently have 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. Be aware that insurance companies limit the number of times a short-term insurance policy may be renewed.

Short-term policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Short-term insurance is also not considered minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also called Obamacare), and even if you enroll in and maintain short-term coverage, you may still be subject to the tax penalty. Further information about the ACA and its implications can be found in our Affordable Care Act Resource Center.

Purchasing a short-term plan will make you ineligible for any guaranteed-issue individual health plans commonly referred to as HIPAA plans. 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 plans may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by some states regarding your ability to apply for more than one short-term plan consecutively.