Short-term Insurance Plans

Short-term insurance plans are an alternative option to ACA/Obamacare plans. But, they currently can only be purchased for short periods of time, and typically only cover catastrophic situations. If you have a short-term plan and need medical attention, you will have to pay out of pocket for any circumstances that are not considered catastrophic.

Still, short-term plans can be a good alternative for individuals who just want to be covered in case of emergency for short periods of time, or until they can enroll in an ACA/Obamacare plan.

Short-term insurance may be a good option for you if:

1. You don’t expect to go to the doctor much, if at all. Since monthly premiums are typically lower with short-term plans than traditional plans, you’ll see bigger savings with this type of plan. But, keep in mind that short-term plans come with a high deductible, so be prepared to pay expensive out-of-pocket costs if you do need medical attention.
2. It’s outside Open Enrollment and you don’t qualify for Special Enrollment. Short-term insurance can last anywhere from 30 days to one year, and helps bridge the gap between coverage when you can’t enroll in a traditional plan.
3. You don’t qualify for a government subsidy. Short-term plans don’t meet minimum ACA requirements, so you won’t get any government help paying your plan premiums or out-of-pocket costs. If you’re eligible for government assistance, be sure to calculate that amount into your costs for both types of plans and weigh your options.