Although short term health insurance is offered in other parts of the country, the state of New York is among the various states that do not allow the sale of short term health insurance. People use short term health insurance for a variety of reasons, like if they need temporary health insurance coverage due to job loss. Unfortunately, if you live in the state of New York, you cannot get short term health insurance, but there are other options for how you can get health coverage.

Why is there no short term health insurance in New York?

New York is one of the few states in the country that prohibits short term health insurance. The state of New York also prohibits insurance carriers from offering short duration insurance plans. Additionally, the Empire State has placed a ban on fixed indemnity, critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity, and accident plans.

The state of New York requires insurance plans to be renewable and to cover essential health benefits. Short term plans are often designed to cover a limited number of possible medical needs and they are not renewable. These controls were put into place to protect people from losing their coverage after a short term plan elapses and to protect against plans that leave out coverage for a lot of traditional forms of medical care. However, the end result of prohibiting short term health insurance is that it can be harder for people to find affordable health insurance in New York that suits their needs.

How to Find Other Affordable Healthcare in New York

Fortunately, there are other ways for you to get affordable coverage even though short term health insurance isn’t available in New York. Some of these available plans include:

• Individual plans
• Family Plans
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Dental

If you’re living in New York, or another state that doesn’t allow short term health insurance, you can also find other ways to save on your monthly premiums. You can save money on your premiums by seeing if you qualify for premium tax credits or government health insurance programs. Another option you have is to purchase catastrophic health insurance or a combination of auxiliary health insurance products.

How to qualify for premium tax credits

Premium tax credits can help you save on the monthly cost of your health insurance. In order to qualify, you must meet an income requirement. In most states, you must make an annual salary between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line (FPL).

However, in some states – such as California – the federal subsidy program has been extended to include those who make up to 600% of the FPL.

How to qualify for Medicaid and CHIP

Medicaid and CHIP are government programs that help low-income individuals get health insurance coverage. Typically, if you make less than 133% of the FPL you will qualify for government assistance.

However, if you pregnant, disable, otherwise medically needy but make over 133% you should still apply because you may qualify for coverage.

Other coverage options

Another affordable option for health insurance that’s available if you are generally healthy and under 30-years-old is catastrophic health insurance. This is a type of insurance that tends to have a low monthly premium and high deductible. Catastrophic coverage can help you cover essential medical expenses and provides coverage in worst case scenario situations.

If you are over 30, can’t afford the catastrophic premiums, or don’t otherwise qualify, another option you have is to buy other auxiliary health insurance products.

Critical illness, accident, or disability insurance along with vision and dental coverage may help cover the cost of health care in worst case scenario situations. Keep in mind that these types of coverage are not ACA-compliant and do not provide as comprehensive of coverage as major medical insurance. However, purchasing multiple auxiliary insurance products is a great alternative to buying short term insurance in states where temporary health insurance is not available.

Find health insurance coverage with eHealth

While you are not able to buy short term health insurance in New York, there are still plenty of effective and affordable options available. Get in touch with the experts here at eHealth today to learn more about the right health insurance coverage for you.