Missed open enrollment? Now what?
Short-term health insurance plans provide you with coverage for a limited period of time, and may be an ideal solution for those between jobs or those waiting for other health insurance to start. Typically, short-term plans offer coverage up to six months and some plans may offer coverage up to 12 months.
Things to consider about short term:
- They do not count as “insurance” at tax time. Because they don’t offer the “essential benefits” mandated by ACA they do not meet the governments definition of health insurance.
- They do not cover pre-existing conditions
- The are medical underwritten so you will have to answer health questions
- Preventive services are covered under the rules of the insurance and usually are not “free” as with ACA coverage
- They are usually cheaper than ACA plans for all the above reasons