short-term medical insurance

It is suitable for many situations, such as:

• You are waiting for open enrollment to apply for a Health Marketplace plan
• Don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to apply for Health Marketplace
• Waiting for Health Marketplace coverage to start
• Turning 26 years old and no longer covered under parent's insurance
• In between jobs and waiting for new employer-based coverage to begin. 

Not having to commit to a long-term medical insurance plan allows you to get temporary health coverage at a more budget-friendly cost by paying monthly premiums.

Many short-term health insurance plans provide coverage at a quick time rate, sometimes offering coverage the day after you send an application. There are no specific enrollment periods, so short-term insurance can be purchased at anytime. 

As of September 2024, federal rules capped short-term plans to a maximum of 4 months of coverage within a 12-month period. 

Many short-term health insurance may not cover services like prescription drugs, maternity and newborn care, preventative services, and mental health services. 

Short-term plans may use your health history to determine eligibility, so they typically would not provide coverage for services related to preexisting conditions.