Simply put, short-term health (STM) insurance is health insurance (not to be confused with short-term disability insurance) that lasts anywhere from 30 days to 36 months. They are not ACA, Affordable Care Act plans, so they are not required to offer the same benefits as ACA plans. These plans can be used while transitioning between jobs or long-term in place of group or ACA plans. These plans are not the best fit for everyone, but they are worth looking at to see if they fit your needs.
Common Features of these plans:
Positives
Most Plans
- Costs less than full price ACA or group plans
- Usually have large PPO networks
- Allow the member the ability to choose from multiple deductibles and co-insurances.
- Allow the choice of length of term (30 days to 36 months depending on the state). Members may pay lower prices for shorter-length plans.
- Have free or low-cost Telemedicine services.
- Have low-cost Urgent Care coverage.
- Usually offer next-day coverage
- Are sold year-round
Negatives
- Negatives
- Most plans:
- Offer limited wellness benefits, but they may give network discounts.
- Offer limited, discounted, or no prescription coverage.
- Do not cover pre-existing health issues.
- Do not cover all 10 categories of “essential health benefits” required by ACA plans.
We highly recommend adding supplemental plans, like accident, cancer, critical illness,
hospital confinement and other plans to STM plans so you have even fewer out-of-pocket
expenses when an accident or illness arises.
The Insurance Solutions Experts have several Short-term Medical Carriers available. If you would like to begin shopping for a plan, click on the links below or call our office – South/Southwest: 210-277-7871 or East/Midwest: 636-732-1122.
Self-guided quoting links for STM plans
Allstate Health Insurance options
