Short term health insurance plans provide fast and flexible health coverage for a temporary time.¹ See short term plan options and apply today.

Short term (also known as temporary) health insurance plans may make sense if you are:

In these situations and others where you find yourself temporarily lacking health care coverage, choosing a short term health insurance plan may provide just the security you need to get you to that next stage of your life.

No. Short term plans are not ACA (otherwise known as Obamacare) health plans. While both ACA and short term health insurance plans cover major health events in your life, there are important differences.

ACA health plans are guaranteed issue, meaning you cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. Also, ACA health plans are required to cover 10 essential health benefits:

1. Doctor visits for illness and injury and other outpatient care (ambulatory services)
2. Emergency services
3. Hospitalization
4. Maternity and newborn care
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services
6. Prescription drug coverage
7. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (e.g., relearning to walk after a stroke or improving the ability to speak without an impediment)
8. Laboratory tests and services
9. Preventive and wellness care
10. Pediatric services (including both oral and vision care)

In contrast, short term health insurance plans are not required to cover these benefits, so plans can vary in what they cover. Also, short term insurance plans do not typically cover preexisting medical conditions. You must apply and answer a series of medical questions to determine your eligibility for these plans.

Yes. In many cases, you can cover spouses and dependents with short term insurance. Note: state variations do apply. In some states, you may not be able to include spouses and dependents. And in states where you can cover them, all family members will be subject to the same series of medical questions to determine if they are eligible for the plan.

Short term health insurance is not minimum essential coverage as defined by the ACA. As of January 1, 2019, there is no federal tax penalty for not having minimum essential coverage.

However, tax penalties may vary at the state level. Consult your tax advisor for more information.

Short term health insurance does not typically cover preexisting medical conditions. The definition of preexisting condition varies by state, but in general, short term health insurance plans exclude coverage for conditions that have been diagnosed or treated within the previous 2 years.

If you have a preexisting medical condition, you may want to find out whether you can extend your current insurance. Employer-sponsored insurance may be extended under COBRA (or a similar state program).

Yes. You can make some choices that can help with your short term health insurance costs:

Choose a higher deductible. The deductible is the portion of expenses you have to pay before the insurance pays. Choosing to pay a higher deductible may reduce your monthly premium, but keep in mind that a higher deductible means you will pay more out-of-pocket before the plan begins paying.

Choose less benefits. If you are generally healthy, you may want to choose a plan that doesn't offer coverage for prescriptions or doctor visits but still provides you with coverage for hospital and surgical visits.

Stay in-network. Choosing a health care provider or a specialist that is in the extensive UnitedHealthcare network may save you money because the provider or specialist that is in the plan's network agrees to provide quality care at reduced rates.

No. Because temporary insurance plans are not minimum essential coverage as defined by the ACA, you are not eligible for tax subsidies to help pay for them. However, generally, short term health insurance plans cost less than ACA health plans.

A federal rule limits Short Term Limited Duration Insurance to terms of 4 months total coverage (3 months + a 1-month extension) in a 12-month period in most states.

You can drop your coverage at any time without penalty.

No. Currently, short term insurance is available for up to 4 months total coverage (3 months + a 1-month extension) in a 12-month period. It can't be renewed, and you must wait until the end of the 12-month period to apply again.

Yes, it’s likely that you can. UnitedHealthcare offers one of the largest networks in the U.S. With access to nearly 1.8 million physicians and other health care professionals, and approximately 7,200 hospitals and other medical facilities, chances are your current doctor is already a part of our nationwide network.³

Health care professionals in our network agree to provide you with quality care and lower fees.

Not necessarily. Your deductible is the portion of expenses you have to pay before the insurance will pay anything. Golden Rule Insurance Company Short Term Medical insurance plans give you several deductible options, allowing you to choose the deductible you're comfortable with.

With some short term plans, if your regular in-network doctor's visit is covered on the plan and your doctor offers telehealth services, you can take advantage of that service at lower network-negotiated rates. In that case, your plan's deductible and coinsurance rates apply. 

Sometimes. Prescription drug coverage is available with some short term health insurance plans. Check specific plans for details.

Sometimes. Limited preventive care coverage is available with some short term health insurance plans. Check specific plans for details.

No. You are under no obligation when using our site. After submitting your application, you may cancel it at any time during the underwriting process.
There is a 10-day free look period (or longer, if required by state) to review your policy and receive a refund of premium paid if you do not wish to keep your plan.

No. With Short Term Medical insurance plans, you do not have to choose a PCP. You can go to the provider of your choosing; however, depending on your state, you may need to choose a provider in the plan's network to qualify for benefits.

No. With Short Term Medical insurance plans, you can go directly to any specialist of your choice without needing a referral.