Short Term Health Insurance California
Shop short term health insurance California plans and coverages from top insurers. Short term health insurance offers you the flexible, fast coverage you need for dynamic times of change in your life.
Short Term Health Insurance Quotes
For people who are temporary without health insurance, there is short-term health insurance. A short-term health insurance plan can offer hospitalization and emergency care coverage, for instance, if you missed the Affordable Care Act’s (commonly known as ObamaCare) open enrollment period.
It can also fill up the coverage gaps until you can get comprehensive individual health insurance. Short-term insurance is an excellent choice, for instance, if you anticipate soon meeting the requirements for employer-provided health insurance,
intend to get married, or anticipate any other qualifying life event that would give you a special enrollment opportunity. In the event of an accident or illness, you will have some much-needed protection against financial difficulty.
Do You Need Short-Term Health Insurance?
Most short-term insurance policies offer coverage for a maximum of six months, however, others may offer extended protection. It can offer temporary protection against accidents or unforeseen illnesses, for instance, if you have outgrown the coverage given by your parents, are awaiting the commencement of another plan, or are awaiting Medicare eligibility.
The core standardized benefits demanded by the Affordable Care Act are not offered by short-term insurance. For instance, preventative care, routine physicals, or preexisting diseases identified or treated during the previous two to five years are often not covered by short-term policies,
and renewal is not always guaranteed. They might also have lifetime benefit caps, which healthcare plans that fall under the umbrella of the Affordable Care Act are not allowed to impose. The plan and carrier you select will determine the actual coverage, deductibles, and premiums you pay.
People who acquire short-term insurance plans are subject to the individual mandate tax penalty since they do not comply with the Affordable Care Act’s standards.
COBRA vs. Short-Term Health Insurance
You might be qualified to continue your group health plan under COBRA if you recently left your work. Short-term health insurance is not the same as COBRA. However, you may frequently discover that your COBRA payments are more than you can manage,
especially in cases when your former employer covered some or all of your health insurance premiums. The minimal coverage offered by short-term health insurance might work in that situation. However, you should be aware that temporary coverage may void your eligibility for COBRA or comparable HIPAA insurance.
Comparing qualified (ACA) plans vs. short-term health insurance
Private health insurance plans must meet strict requirements mandated by the Affordable Care Act. According to the ACA, qualified health plans must have a cost cap, ensure acceptance and renewal, exclude pre-existing diseases, and be made available to a large pool of people nationally. Due to these regulations, private health insurance plans offered through the national exchange are not as affordable.
On the other side, short-term health insurance plans circumvent ACA rules by providing policies that last for fewer than 365 days. These plans typically have a duration of six months, however, any health insurance plan with a period of less than a year is regarded as a short term medical insurance plan.
These plans could be a tempting substitute for more expensive qualifying health insurance for some individuals. However, even more, cost-effective short-term health insurance plans are not without drawbacks. How do ACA plans compare to short-term health insurance?
For a younger person who doesn’t now have or doesn’t foresee having significant medical needs, a short-term health insurance policy might be the best option. These plans typically do not cover routine doctor visits or prescriptions, only major medical expenses and hospitalization. People who don’t qualify for government subsidies, or single people who make more than $44,000 a year, may find these short-term plans appealing.
Of course, you would pay less for less thorough coverage. In comparison to healthcare.gov’s lowest-cost Bronze plan, which costs around $230 per month, one plan offers short-term medical insurance for a 40-year-old male for about $114 per month. In contrast to the lowest-cost Bronze plan’s $6,300 deductible, another short-term plan has a $5,000 deductible.
However, there is a drawback to short-term health insurance policies that should be carefully evaluated. First, the lack of comprehensive coverage in these plans could leave consumers with insufficient insurance in the event of a catastrophic medical emergency.
If you have a pre-existing ailment, you probably won’t be able to buy short-term medical insurance because you must also pass a medical underwriting exam to receive a policy.
For some people, inexpensive short-term health insurance plans might be a good solution. A short-term medical insurance plan might be something you want to think about if you are under 50, have a comfortable income, and have no family history of health issues.
A Word About Shopping For Healthcare
Health insurance is very personal coverage. Since it relates to the specific issues and coverage needed by a given family or individual, it has a detailed health application. As you progress through this site, we will offer a number of solutions to your health care needs.
When you have decided on one or maybe two offerings to pursue, you will be transported to that company’s website to complete the application. Keep the following in mind:
Privacy: collects no personal data from you so we remain unbiased in the presentation of possible products. Make sure you pick a partner of ours with good credentials.
Registrations: If you register with us, we are able to keep track of your partner selections to assist you if need be in the future.
Detailed information: In most cases, you will receive a phone call or an email to confirm or clarify your shopping process. If you receive too many phone calls or emails, please let us know immediately. Sometimes insurance organizations get overzealous in their desire to help.
Keep these short-term insurance reminders in your long-term memory
With short-term health insurance, you are not buying an ACA health plan. That means you need to keep a few things in mind as you plan your coverage needs:
ACA health plans are guaranteed issue, meaning you cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions
Short-term insurance plans are not guaranteed issue, do not cover preexisting conditions, and you must answer a series of medical questions to apply for coverage
ACA health plans are required to cover 10 essential health benefits, including maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse disorder services
Short-term insurance plans do not have coverage requirements, so 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 definitely provide fast, flexible, temporary health insurance coverage that fits your needs.
