Is short term insurance for me?
Short term insurance may be the right choice for you if you’re:
Waiting for open enrollment to apply for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan
Not experiencing a situation that’s a qualifying life event and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to apply for an ACA plan
Waiting for ACA coverage to start
Looking for coverage to bridge you to Medicare
Turning 26 and are coming off your parent's insurance
Between jobs or waiting for benefits to begin at your new job
Healthy and under 65
Waiting for open enrollment to apply for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan
Not experiencing a situation that’s a qualifying life event and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to apply for an ACA plan
Waiting for ACA coverage to start
Looking for coverage to bridge you to Medicare
Turning 26 and are coming off your parent's insurance
Between jobs or waiting for benefits to begin at your new job
Healthy and under 65
For these situations and many others, short term health insurance, also called temporary health insurance or term health insurance, might be right for you. It can fill that gap in coverage until you can choose a longer term solution.
Why choose short term plans from UnitedHealthcare?
See how short term plans can give you more flexibility
Thinking about choosing a short term plan? In dynamic times of change, Short Term Medical plans,1 may give you the added flexibility you need. With these plans you can:
Find coverage that’s available fast, as soon as the day after application
Pick your deductible amount from several options
Apply year-round in most states
Drop coverage with no penalty
Use any doctor in the nationwide network without need for referrals
Short term plans that stand the test of time
Golden Rule Insurance Company, which underwrites UnitedHealthcare branded short term medical insurance, has been offering short term insurance plans for over 35 years.
Frequently asked questions
Read on to learn more details about short term plans and how they work.
Short term health insurance is available for up to 4 months total coverage during a 12-month period.
Short term coverage will vary, depending on the plan you choose. Check your plan details to learn about coverage for common care and services like these:
| Preexisting conditions | Not covered with most short term plans. Check your state’s definition of preexisting conditions for details. Short Term Medical plans are medically underwritten. |
|---|---|
| Preventive care | Limited preventive care can sometimes be covered. |
| Prescriptions | Coverage may be available with some plans. |
| Virtual visits (telehealth) | Coverage for some telehealth services may be included. |
Many, but not all, short term health insurance plans can take effect the day after your application is received. You may also choose a later effective date based on your individual needs.
Yes. Short term medical insurance can be a temporary solution to help fill gaps in coverage, including when you’re:
- Between jobs
- Waiting for other coverage to begin
- Waiting to be eligible for Medicare coverage
- Without health insurance, outside of Open Enrollment
For these situations and more where you are stuck in a coverage gap, you may decide that finding the best short term health insurance plan you can is the right solution for you.1
With short term health insurance, it’s important to keep in mind you’re not buying an ACA health plan. Here are a couple of ways short term plans differ from ACA plans.
| ACA plans | Short term plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Are preexisting conditions covered? | Yes. You cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. | No. You must answer a series of medical questions to apply for coverage. Short Term Medical plans are medically underwritten. |
| Are essential health benefits are covered? | Yes. Plans are required to cover 10 essential health benefits, including maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse disorder services. | No. There are no specific coverage requirements. Plans vary in what they cover. Check your plan details carefully. |
So, it’s true that you may save money by choosing short term health insurance. Just be sure you know what you are buying, and that it’s a good choice for you. For the right situation, short term insurance plans can provide fast, flexible, temporary health insurance coverage that fits your needs.