Short Term Medical

Short-term medical insurance provides temporary financial protection if you are between jobs, waiting for employer benefits, or missed Open Enrollment. These plans offer lower premiums, fast approval, and flexible durations, though they typically exclude pre-existing conditions and essential benefits like preventive care.

Key Benefits

• Affordability: Monthly premiums can be 50-80% cheaper than standard Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, making them highly cost-effective if you are healthy and only want catastrophic coverage.

• Year-Round Availability: You can apply at any time without needing a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) to trigger a Special Enrollment Period.

• Rapid Approval: Applications are simplified, and coverage can often begin as soon as the next day.

• Flexibility: You can choose your coverage period—typically anywhere from one month up to the federally mandated maximum of four months per term.

• Network Freedom: Many plans allow you to see the doctors of your choice without the need for specialist referrals.

Important Considerations

• Exclusions: Short-term plans do not have to cover ACA essential health benefits, meaning routine preventive care, maternity care, and mental health services are generally not covered. [1]

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Most policies are medically underwritten. Common or chronic medical issues—such as asthma or high blood pressure—can result in a denied application or outright exclusion from coverage.

• Higher Out-of-Pocket Costs: While monthly premiums are low, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are often much higher than traditional plans.