Short term plans, underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, can provide a temporary solution that helps you get the benefits you want, for the time you need.
For these situations and many others, short term health insurance, also called temporary health insurance or term health insurance, might be right for you. It can fill that gap in coverage until you can choose a longer term solution.
Get coverage as soon as the day after your application.
Short application questions help determine if you're eligible for coverage.
Pick your deductible amount from several options.
Access an extensive network of health care professionals, with 1.8 million physicians and other health care professionals and approximately 7,200 hospitals and other facilities. 2
Thinking about choosing a short term plan? In dynamic times of change, Short Term Medical plans, 1 may give you the added flexibility you need. With these plans you can:
Find coverage that’s available fast, as soon as the day after application
Pick your deductible amount from several options
Apply year-round in most states
Drop coverage with no penalty
Use any doctor in the nationwide network without need for referrals
Find coverage that’s available fast, as soon as the day after application
Pick your deductible amount from several options
Pick your length of coverage, 1 to nearly 12 months in some states 3
Drop coverage with no penalty
Apply for another short term health insurance plan when the first one finishes, if needed 3
Golden Rule Insurance Company, which underwrites UnitedHealthcare branded short term medical insurance, has been offering short term insurance plans for over 35 years.
Read on to learn more details about short term plans and how they work.
Short term health insurance is available for up to 4 months total coverage during a 12-month period.
Short term coverage will vary, depending on the plan you choose. Check your plan details to learn about coverage for common care and services like these:
| Preexisting conditions | Not covered with most short term plans. Check your state’s definition of preexisting conditions for details. Short Term Medical plans are medically underwritten. |
|---|---|
| Preventive care | Limited preventive care can sometimes be covered. |
| Prescriptions | Coverage may be available with some plans. |
| Virtual visits (telehealth) | Coverage for some telehealth services may be included. |
Many, but not all, short term health insurance plans can take effect the day after your application is received. You may also choose a later effective date based on your individual needs.
Yes. Short term medical insurance can be a temporary solution to help fill gaps in coverage, including when you’re:
For these situations and more where you are stuck in a coverage gap, you may decide that finding the best short term health insurance plan you can is the right solution for you. 1
With short term health insurance, it’s important to keep in mind you’re not buying an ACA health plan. Here are a couple of ways short term plans differ from ACA plans.
| ACA plans | Short term plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Are preexisting conditions covered? | Yes. You cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. | No. You must answer a series of medical questions to apply for coverage. Short Term Medical plans are medically underwritten. |
| Are essential health benefits are covered? | Yes. Plans are required to cover 10 essential health benefits, including maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse disorder services. | No. There are no specific coverage requirements. Plans vary in what they cover. Check your plan details carefully. |
So, it’s true that you may save money by choosing short term health insurance. Just be sure you know what you are buying, and that it’s a good choice for you. For the right situation, short term insurance plans can provide fast, flexible, temporary health insurance coverage that fits your needs.
This coverage is not “minimum essential coverage” as defined by the ACA.
Short Term Medical plans are medically underwritten.
These Short Term Medical plans do not provide coverage for preexisting conditions nor the mandated coverage necessary to avoid a penalty under the Affordable Care Act.
Product design, availability, term length and additional terms vary by state.
This policy has exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage call (or write) your insurance agent or the company (whichever is applicable).
No individual applying for health coverage through the individual Marketplace will be discouraged from applying for benefits, turned down for coverage, or charged more premium because of health status, medical condition, mental illness claims experience, medical history, genetic information or health disability. In addition, no individual will be denied coverage based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, political affiliation or source of income.
References to UnitedHealthcare pertain to each individual company or other UnitedHealthcare affiliated companies.
Each company is a separate entity and is not responsible for another’s financial or contractual obligations.
Administrative services are provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.
Products and services offered are underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, Health Plan of Nevada, Inc., Oxford Health Insurance, Inc., UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York, Inc.