Short Term Medical Insurance: Know How It Works

Summary: There are many people in America today who are either unemployed, employed part-time or going to school and still desire health coverage. If you are healthy, then carrying short term medical insurance would be something to consider. It can be a viable option for people who are in transition or who cannot afford COBRA. There are individual or family plans that cover you for as little as thirty days or for as long as six months. It is important to understand just how these p...

There are many people in America today who are either unemployed, employed part-time or going to school and still desire health coverage. If you are healthy, then carrying short term medical insurance would be something to consider. It can be a viable option for people who are in transition or who cannot afford COBRA. There are individual or family plans that cover you for as little as thirty days or for as long as six months. It is important to understand just how these plans work, and what they do and do not cover. Most plans will let you visit any doctor or specialist you prefer but they will also usually require pre-certification. Due to the low cost of these plans, they generally do not cover items that fall under preventative care, such as physical exams, immunizations, and PAP tests. Since it is geared toward healthy individuals, pre-existing conditions are not covered in a short term plan nor are the treatments associated with those conditions. Also, if you have filed any claims under a previous policy, they may refuse to issue you a new one. People 65 and under are eligible to apply for the insurance. If you have been denied for health coverage elsewhere, you most likely would not qualify. You also cannot apply if you are currently insured. Once you are accepted, most will allow you to pay your premiums either up front or on a monthly basis. You can often receive a discount when you choose the single payment method. Short term medical is definitely the way to go for people who need immediate coverage and either do not want to, or can not afford to, pay the usual high premiums. It is an option for most people, but sadly not for those who have pre-existing conditions. They are left to pay the high monthly rates for full coverage. For those who can, there are numerous companies who offer short term coverage. The competition for your business is fierce and allows you to compare many quotes and find the best possible policy at the best possible price.