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Short Term Health Insurance Explained:
What is short term health insurance?
Short term health insurance is an insurance plan that will normally provide coverage for up to six months. This type of insurance plan can be used when you are temporarily without coverage, such as in the case of a change of employment or other circumstances.
Why would I want coverage for a limited time?While short term health insurance coverage is not useful for a continuing insurance plan, it is very helpful if you are switching jobs, or if you have just graduated from school.
What happens when my coverage ends?Depending on your insurance company, you may be able to reapply for a short term plan, once your initial coverage has ended. However, some companies will only allow you to apply once, so it is important to make sure you completely understand your options before signing your policy.
What if I need less than 30 days of health coverage?Most short term plans include at least 30 days of coverage. You can select to pre-pay for those 30 days, or simply cancel your policy when you no longer need the insurance.
How quickly can my short term health insurance coverage start?Most companies that offer short term health insurance will approve you within 24 hours. It is important to pay for your policy with a credit card if you need coverage right away, as other payment methods may delay your start date.
How do I know if I qualify for short term health insurance coverage?The health insurance company that is issuing your policy should let you know within 24 hours if your policy has been approved.
Will I have vision and/or dental benefits with short term health insurance coverage?The majority of short term health insurance providers do not include vision or dental benefits with their policies. These short term plans are intended more for sudden or unexpected illnesses or accidents.
Should I pay monthly or make one lump payment for my short term coverage?This will depend on how long you need your coverage. If you only plan on using the coverage for thirty days, a monthly payment plan would work best. However, if you do require more than one month of coverage, you can usually save money by making a lump sum payment.
Can I insure just my child using a short term health insurance plan?Most short term health insurance providers will allow you to select a plan for your child only. If you have more than one child, different companies may require you to take out separate policies for each child.
What if I get standard health insurance while I'm still covered by my short term plan?Once you have signed your policy and the effective date has passed, you can cancel your short term plan. You may need to continue paying the premiums for the short term plan, depending on the health insurance company.
Does a short term health insurance plan make it difficult to get coverage at a later date if I have a pre-existing medical condition?People that require HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) plans should not purchase short term health insurance. This short term coverage will remove your ability to purchase a standard HIPAA policy.
