Short-term Medical Insurance

Short-term medical 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 medical insurance to start. Typically, short-term plans offer coverage up to six months, although 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, longer-term medical insurance option like our individual and family medical insurance plans.

The application process for short-term medical insurance is usually simpler than standard, longer-term medical insurance. Short-term medical insurance plans are designed to protect against unforeseen accidents or illnesses, rather than to provide comprehensive coverage, and, as such, 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 medical plans commonly referred to as HIPAA Plans. HIPAA plans are usually very expensive and are generally intended for people with pre-existing medical conditions who would have trouble getting medical insurance otherwise. If you wish to maintain your eligibility for HIPAA plans, you should not purchase a short-term plan. Please consult your benefits advisor to discuss your rights under the medical Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other rights under state law.

Short-term medical 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 medical insurance policies exclude coverage for conditions that have been diagnosed or treated within the previous 3 to 5 years. If you have an existing medical condition, you may want to research whether you can extend your current insurance. Employer-sponsored insurance can be extended under a government-regulated option commonly referred to as COBRA, which you should seriously consider if you have an existing medical condition.

Short-term medical insurance plans are a great solution when you're between jobs, waiting for group coverage to start, or if you're a recent college graduate. Fill out our short, secure form to get your free short-term medical insurance quotes today!