No enrollment period restrictions
Unlike Obamacare (ACA) plans, you can enroll in — or cancel — a short-term plan at any time of the year.
Under 65 · Flexible & Emergency Coverage
Short-term health insurance plans
Flexible, immediate coverage for when you're between jobs or waiting for other coverage to begin. Enroll or cancel any time of year.
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Short Term Health Insurance
https://shorttermhealthinsurance.com/
Choose your coverage level
Pick the level of coverage that fits your needs and budget. Premiums are typically lower than a full health plan.
Emergency & hospital coverage
Covers basic needs and emergencies such as doctor visits, urgent care, and hospital ER visits.
Is a short-term plan right for you?
Best for healthy people needing temporary coverage
Short-term plans offer flexible enrollment and coverage options. They provide less coverage and fewer benefits than regular health insurance, but make it easier to access emergency and immediate coverage — for example, when you're between jobs or waiting for other coverage to begin. Because they may not cover a pre-existing condition, they're best for healthy individuals with no planned healthcare needs.
Get help
Talk to a licensed agent
No obligation to enroll. A licensed insurance agent can help you compare short-term options and sign up for the plan of your choice. Mon-Fri: 8am - 9pm ET.
We only partner with top insurance companies
Short-term plans can have a bad reputation because many low-quality carriers offer plans with inadequate benefits. That's why we partner with just two top carriers — so you can enroll with confidence in benefits that meet your health needs.
Pros & cons of short-term plans
Pros
- ＋No enrollment period restrictions — enroll or cancel coverage at any time.
- ＋Lower monthly premiums compared to regular health plans.
- ＋A solution for temporary or emergency coverage needs.
- ＋Fills gaps when you're between jobs or waiting for other coverage to begin.
- ＋Covers basic needs and emergencies like doctor visits, urgent care, and hospital ER visits.
Cons
- －Prescription drug coverage is typically not included.
- －Less coverage overall — not required to include the 10 ACA essential health benefits.
- －You may face costs for preventive care and lab work that full plans cover at no cost.
- －Not eligible for an Obamacare subsidy tax credit to reduce premiums.
Common questions about short-term health insurance
Who is a good candidate for short-term health insurance?
Someone who is healthy and looking for temporary or emergency coverage. Because short-term plans provide limited coverage and may not cover a pre-existing condition, they're best for healthy individuals who have no planned healthcare needs.
Is there an open enrollment period for short-term plans?
No. There are no open enrollment periods for short-term health plans. Unlike Obamacare (ACA) plans, one benefit of short-term plans is that you can enroll or cancel any time of the year.
Do short-term plans cover the same benefits as Obamacare (ACA) plans?
No. Short-term plans cover fewer benefits than ACA plans. The Affordable Care Act requires regular plans to cover a set of 10 essential health benefits — including pregnancy, mental health, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs. Short-term plans are sometimes called "skinny" plans because they cover fewer benefits and aren't required to include these essentials.
If I have a pre-existing condition, can I be denied enrollment?
Yes. You may be denied enrollment in a short-term plan, or the plan may not cover healthcare services for your pre-existing condition.
Does my current doctor accept short-term plans?
Maybe. Be sure to check whether your doctor is included in the network of the particular short-term plan you're considering.
Can I contribute to my HSA while on a short-term plan?
No. Short-term plans are not HSA-eligible, so you can't contribute new money to an HSA. However, if you have an existing HSA, you can still use the money in it to pay for healthcare expenses.
Short-term plans provide limited benefits and are not required to cover the ACA's essential health benefits. Benefits, limitations, and exclusions vary by carrier and location.
Health Plan Radar is owned and operated by Amabo LLC and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. federal government. For official information, visit HealthCare.gov.