About Short-Term Health Insurance

Health insurance is a benefit that many people may not have access to. During times of job loss, changing jobs or financial distress, having the option of short-term health insurance can be ideal. There are some key points to know, however, before signing up for short-term health insurance.

Short-term health insurance is an option for many people who are between jobs, returning to school or who only need coverage for 12 months or less. This form of health insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. In some cases, it may not cover major medical surgeries or issues such as cancer. There are other aspects of short-term health insurance that should be considered.

Procedures and Benefits Covered by Short-term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance covers a variety of procedures and health related items, such as prescriptions. Inpatient and outpatient procedures are covered for illnesses that are unrelated to pre-existing conditions. Normal doctor visits, OBGYN appointments and pediatric appointments are also covered under short-term health care insurance plans.

A key difference between short-term health insurance and standard health insurance is coverage in regard to preventative care. Preventative treatments and care appointments, immunizations, dental and eye coverage are not generally part of short-term health insurance.

The Costs for Coverage

The cost of short-term health insurance is possibly one of the more appealing attributes of the insurance plan. Where standard health care insurance can cost as much as $300 per month for a family of four, the short-term health care insurance option costs $75 to $125. This does vary from state to state. Certain prescriptions and standard preventative visits are not usually covered and would need to be paid out of pocket.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Short-term insurance gives a person peace of mind that if a health emergency were to occur there would be coverage for it and a large out of pocket expense could be reduced. The disadvantages are in the name of the insurance itself. Short-term health insurance means just what it says. It is not meant to last more than a year and cannot be renewed beyond the longest term of the insurance plan. It can also be costly for people who need certain medications or find themselves in the need of preventative care and appointments outside the coverage range of the short-term policy.