Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right For You?

Because of recent government changes, short-term health insurance has become a more attractive health plan option for those seeking immediate, albeit temporary solutions to health coverage. Long-term health plans can be costly, and unfortunately, accidents, illnesses, and injuries don’t always occur during the time period a health plan is in effect.
For many Americans, being without healthcare coverage that can help pay the expenses of those in between periods is not a risk they can afford. It is a mistake few are willing to make, especially considering the availability of affordable short-term options. For this reason, many families have turned to short-term or “gap” insurance to obtain the coverage and flexibility they need while they consider their choices for longer-term health coverage.

What is Short-Term Health Insurance?

Whether it’s to bridge the gap between employer group health plans or to search for alternatives to Medicaid and the like, many Americans may find themselves without health insurance for at least a short period of time. Millions of families have found that short-term health insurance is a fitting solution for health coverage while they explore long-term plans. Often referred to as “gap insurance,” short-term health insurance provides affordable coverage benefits for individuals, their spouses, and their dependents if applicable. These types of insurance plans cover emergencies, take effect quickly, and are easy to cancel whenever you decide you’re ready to move on.

Is short-term health insurance right for me?

Whether or not short-term health insurance is right for you depends on the unique details of your situation. Consider the following common reasons why many choose to carry temporary medical insurance during their gap periods. If any of these reasons sound similar to your situation, short-term health insurance might be right for you.

Good to know: Ask for a discount. You can potentially reduce the cost of your medical bills by asking for a discount upfront. It may seem unconventional, but many hospitals and practitioners offer certain discounts for which you may be eligible. For example, some hospitals are part of networks that will reduce your medical bills by a certain percentage if you pay over the phone. More often than not, these discounts are only available to consumers who ask for them. Depending on your economic status or the price of your procedure, some medical facilities offer additional discounts that can be paired with your medical insurance to substantially reduce the cost of your procedure. For example, it's not uncommon for hospitals to offer discounts of up to thirty percent for qualifying customers.

Even if you don't find a discount related to your particular situation, your doctor or hospital may provide you with valuable information about discounts you can use in the future.

Common Reasons to Carry Short Term Health Insurance

Affordability. Many major health insurance options are expensive for the kind of coverage a family may need. Short-term might be a more affordable solution.
Medicaid Ineligibility. Short-term health insurance may often provide coverage to those who might not qualify for Medicaid or lower-cost Affordable Health Care plans.
Employment Gap. If you receive health insurance through your employer and are between plans or jobs, short-term health insurance can help cover you and your family.
Network. If you live in a rural area or an area with few healthcare providers, short-term health insurance may help expand your options.

Do I need gap insurance?

Medical expenses can become very costly, very quickly. Whether it’s for the occasional accident, a serious unforeseen illness, or simply a wellness checkup, short-term gap insurance is strongly recommended to keep you and your family covered in the case of unforeseen medical emergencies.

Author: Jessica Gervais

Other articles: Explaining the Growth of HealthCare Sharing Plans.
Finding Short-Term Health Insurance.
Finding Short Term Health Insurance in Fort Myers Florida.
Resources