If you are between jobs or waiting for a new health insurance policy to start, you may have a gap in your health insurance coverage. During this time, you are at a high risk because you don't have health insurance. So what should you do during this time? Well, one of the best things to do in this kind of situation is to think about getting short-term health insurance. This will only cover you for a certain amount of time.
Short-term health insurance policies typically cover less than six months. There are, however, policies that will cover you for up to a year. If you need coverage for longer than this, you should probably look into standard plans for individuals or families.
The application process is easy.
The application process for short-term health insurance is easier, which is one of its benefits. These policies are meant to cover unexpected accidents and other emergencies. They are not a good choice if you want full health coverage. So, they won't usually cover things like preventive treatments, physical and diagnostic tests, immunizations, dental and vision costs, which you should try to avoid while you're covered by a short-term plan.
The main worry, and something you should know if you're thinking about a short-term plan, is that it will make you ineligible for guaranteed issue health plans. Most of the time, these plans are called HIPAA plans. They can be very expensive and are used when the insured person already has health problems that would make it hard for them to get health insurance otherwise. You shouldn't buy short-term health insurance if you think you might need to be eligible for a HIPAA plan. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, and state health insurance rights are important protections, and you should talk to a benefits advisor about them.
Have you made plans?
Short-term health insurance plans won't cover medical conditions that are already there. The exact definition depends on your situation and state laws, but this means that if you have been diagnosed with a condition in the last three to five years or have been getting treatment for it, it is a "pre-existing condition," and your short-term plan won't cover it. If this is the case, it is suggested that you extend your current comprehensive policy instead of switching to a short-term plan.
