Short-Term Health Insurance
Short-term health insurance plans are an ideal fit for people who are covered by COBRA , in-between jobs, or are waiting out their new employer’s health insurance probationary period. Recent college graduates looking for a job and people waiting for their Medicare benefits might find short-term health insurance a good option.
Eligibility
Individuals 65-and-under, their spouse and dependents are typically eligible for short-term health insurance coverage. These plans protect you from accidents and illnesses that may occur and ensure there are no gaps in your coverage.
Coverage
A short-term policy will not cover any pre-existing conditions nor will they usually extend to cover preventative healthcare, dental or vision care. They are merely designed to shield the insured from high medical costs associated with sudden accidents and illnesses. Typically short-term health insurance will extend to services such as hospital stays and surgeries, outpatient care, diagnostic and lab fees, and others. Coverage will vary from state-to-state.
Features
Short-term health insurance usually provides coverage from one to twelve months but may be renewed sometimes up to three years. If you think you are going to need coverage for longer than a year, your best bet may be to choose a more conventional health insurance type.
Most short-term health insurance policies extend coverage for up to $1-million to $2-million with a deductible from $250 to $5000. Co-insurance may range from 80/20 or even 50/50 for the initial $5000-$10,000 in medical costs.
Enrollment
There many companies out there who offer affordable short-term health insurance and InsuranceUSA.com can help direct you to them. These policies can typically be purchased through a company’s website. ID cards and a policy certificates are usually delivered via e-mail or may be downloadable once the policy has been purchased.