🩺 What Is Short-Term Health Insurance?
Short-term health insurance is a temporary coverage option designed to bridge gaps in your health care. It’s popular with people who are:
- Between jobs
- Waiting for employer-sponsored insurance to begin
- Recently graduated
- Retiring early
- Experiencing life transitions (like divorce or relocation)
These plans typically offer coverage for 1 to 12 months, depending on your state and the provider.
👉 Learn more from Healthcare.gov.
⏳ When Does It Make Sense?
Consider short-term health insurance if:
- You’re healthy and mainly need emergency coverage
- You missed Open Enrollment and don’t qualify for Special Enrollment
- You’re transitioning between jobs or plans
For freelancers or gig workers, it can be a temporary safety net, though you may want to explore other freelancer health insurance options too.
📋 What Does It Cover?
Most short-term plans include:
- Emergency room care
- Hospital stays
- Some outpatient visits
- Limited prescription drug benefits
However, short-term health insurance does not usually include:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Maternity or mental health care
- Preventive care like checkups and vaccines
👉 KFF.org offers a great breakdown of coverage limits.
💸 Is It Affordable?
Yes—for many, short-term health insurance costs less than ACA plans. But the trade-off is limited coverage. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature Short-Term Plan ACA | CA Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premiums | Lower | Higher |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Not Covered | Covered |
| Preventive Services | Often Excluded | Included |
| Mental Health Coverage | Rarely Included | Included |
| Enrollment | Year-round availability | Limited to open periods |
⚠️ Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Fast enrollment (as soon as 24 hours)
- Lower monthly premiums
- Flexible terms
- Nationwide availability
❌ Cons:
- No ACA protections
- Excludes essential services
- Denials based on health history
- Limited renewability
🧠 Who Should Avoid Short-Term Plans?
Skip short-term health insurance if you:
- Have chronic medical conditions
- Need regular care, mental health, or maternity services
- Qualify for Medicaid or ACA subsidies
- Want stable, long-term coverage
🛒 Where to Buy Short-Term Health Insurance
You can shop for short-term plans at:
- Official provider sites (like UnitedHealthcare, Pivot Health)
- Licensed brokers
- Comparison sites like eHealth or Health Markets
❗ Note: You won’t find short-term health plans on Healthcare.gov.
📌 Tips Before You Buy
- Compare multiple providers
- Ask about pre-existing condition exclusions
- Check cancellation policies
- Understand what’s covered and what’s not
- Review your state’s rules—some restrict or ban these plans
🔄 Alternatives to Short-Term Insurance
If short-term health insurance doesn’t meet your needs, consider:
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
- Marketplace ACA plans with subsidies
- Medicaid
- COBRA
- Health-sharing ministries
🎯 Final Thoughts: Is It Right for You?
Short health insurance is ideal for healthy individuals in transition, such as those undergoing job changes or waiting periods. It’s affordable and fast, but it isn’t for everyone.
Be sure to explore longer-term options for freelancers, compare plans, and carefully review the fine print.