Temporary Health Coverage

Temporary health insurance, or short-term health insurance, is beneficial for people who may be between jobs, new graduates, temporary employees, or waiting for their employer’s coverage to take effect, among other reasons. The short-term nature of their circumstance makes temporary health insurance coverage an ideal solution.

Since individual health insurance plans can be costly, temporary health insurance provides healthcare coverage at a more affordable rate. The decreased cost, however, is offset by a reduction in coverage. While the plan may not be as comprehensive as an individual policy, it will provide adequate protection for a variety of situations, including:

· Hospital room and board
· No limitations on your selection of physicians or hospitals
· Inpatient and outpatient procedures
· Intensive care unit costs
· Prescription drugs
· Lab exams and x-rays
· Exclusions in Coverage with Temporary Health Insurance
· Pre-existing conditions
· Routine medical visits
· Dental procedures, cleaning, x-rays
· Pregnancy


Review the term coverage, as temporary health insurance is available between 30 days and 180 days. Some companies may offer plans that will last longer. In most instances, temporary health insurance cannot be extended beyond one year.

Temporary health coverage plans don’t usually involve networks, so you are free to see any physician that you wish, with a fairly low deductible. Temporary health insurance policies will also require you to get pre-certification for some medical services or procedures.

Temporary Health Insurance Eligibility - Keep in mind that if you have a pre-existing condition, you may be denied a temporary health insurance policy. Since the cost of a short-term policy is relatively low, insurance companies have restrictions against any higher risk circumstances that would drive the cost up.