The purpose of short term health insurance

Short term health insurance is designed specifically for in-between times. These are times when, for whatever reason, other health care coverage is not available to you and you need something to tide you over, usually just for a few months.

The benefits of these plans include low cost, and no lengthy contract. They are generally much less costly than COBRA or other supplemental insurance options, not to mention less than traditional health insurance coverage.

Term length varies, but usually runs from 30 days to six months. After a policy expires it can often be renewed, maybe several times, but a new application will have to be processed each time. Spouses and dependents are are often eligible for coverage too.

Short term health insurance is intended to give protection against any serious incidents, such as accidents, severe illness, or hospitalization, in lieu of other coverage. It really isn't worth the cost to purchase it as supplemental coverage, because it doesn't offer many benefits outside of what you'd receive from a more comprehensive plan. In fact, it's often quite limited.

Coverage may vary, depending on provider. Some may cover certain lab tests and diagnostic procedures as well as emergency services. Others may cover surgery and transplants. Some preventative measures such as mammograms and PAP smears may be. Follow-up visits and prescription coverage may be possibilities as well.

However, routine visits to a regular doctor are generally not covered. Vision and dental are not included, and most plans do not cover any expenses related to pregnancy or childbirth. Eligibility requirements for short term health insurance may also be more stringent, as pre-existing conditions are one of the primary exclusions of these kinds of plans.

Whether you're waiting for benefit eligibility through another source, or having trouble finding coverage elsewhere, short term health insurance may be the answer for you.

The purpose of short term health insurance
When to buy short term health insurance
Short term health insurance pros and cons
Short term health insurance is an option for continuing health coverage during unemployment