For people who are between jobs, students who are between school terms, or anyone else looking for temporary medical coverage, it’s ideal that you have access to a one-month health plan. You don’t have to buy multiple months at a time and you won’t be locked in unless you need more than 30 days of coverage. And while getting a one-month plan can be tricky, it is possible!
In this guide, we find out the following: Can You Buy Health Insurance For One Month, united healthcare short term insurance, blue cross short term health insurance, and immediate health insurance.
Can You Buy Health Insurance For One Month
Temporary health insurance can be a lifesaver. It’s a great option for people who are between jobs, students who want to cover the gaps in their school-based coverage, and anyone else who needs temporary medical coverage. But what if you need only one month of health insurance? Can you buy a short-term plan just for one month? The answer is: yes! Here’s how it works:
Can I Get Health Insurance For Just 1 Month?
Yes. You can get health insurance for just 1 month. There are many reasons why you might need health insurance for just 1 month. For example, you may have lost your job and need to maintain your coverage until the end of the month when the next paycheck comes in, or perhaps your spouse recently passed away and there is no one else who can take over their family’s health insurance plan.
In this article we will discuss short term health insurance plans: why they exist and how they work.
How Much Does Temporary Health Insurance Cost?
The cost of temporary health insurance depends on the plan you choose and how long you will be covered. Some plans only offer coverage for 30 days, while others are good for up to a year. These policies are typically more expensive than traditional health insurance because they provide less coverage and have higher deductibles, but they can be a good option if you only need temporary coverage or want to explore other options before deciding on permanent coverage
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular short-term plans on the market today:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS): $50 – 100/month
- Aetna: $50 – 100/month
- Cigna Healthcare: $30 – 120/month
To get an idea of what these three companies cover under their short term plans, I’ll use my own as an example: BCBS has me covered for all medical services (with the exception of mental health), 90% prescription drugs and 50% dental care with no maximum out-of-pocket costs or annual limits. I also have access to 24/7 nurse advice through telehealth services without any additional charge whatsoever!
Short Term Health Insurance Plans
Short term health insurance plans aren’t the same thing as short-term disability insurance, which pays a portion of your income when you’re unable to work due to injury or illness. Instead, these plans allow healthy people to buy coverage for up to one year at significantly lower costs than major medical health insurance. Plans can last anywhere from 30 days up through 364 days and each state has its own requirements for what constitutes an acceptable plan length and maximum coverage amount.
Some states allow six month policies (which are less expensive) while others allow one year policies (which are more expensive). If you’re in good health, the longer plan will likely be right for you since it’s cheaper than buying two separate six month plans back-to-back but still provides many of the benefits of regular health insurance such as preventive care coverage and prescription drugs on an HSA or FSA card.
As you can see, there are several different ways to buy health insurance for one month. If you’re in a pinch and need coverage right now, it’s possible to purchase a plan that only lasts for a few weeks or months at a time. The important thing to remember is that if you decide to buy short-term health insurance, you have to be sure your situation won’t change in the future so that you can maintain continuous coverage.
You should also keep in mind that if your circumstances change and require more than three months of medical care, there may be an option available under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This means that if one person loses their job or is otherwise no longer employed through no fault of their own, they will still have access up until 65 years old.
In addition:
- If someone has no job or employer-sponsored benefits available due to unemployment or other reasons (such as being self employed), they may qualify for Medicaid depending on where they live and whether they earn less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level amount ($1/day).
united healthcare short term insurance
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area
We chose UnitedHealthcare for the best overall short-term health insurance based on features like multiple plan types, renewal options and out-of-network care. These factors make UnitedHealthcare stand out among other short-term insurance providers. Short-term health insurance policies, also called temporary health insurance, are typically one year or less in duration. Customers often use short-term coverage as a bridge between other full-benefit health policies.
Short-term plans are usually cheaper than full-benefit health insurance plans, and benefits can begin right away. But many plans have medical exclusions and higher deductibles.
Best short-term health insurance companies
The best short-term health insurance available is through UnitedHealthcare (UHC). The company provides coverage not offered by many short-term plans, such as preventive care, which promotes good health by catching issues early, and a dental add-on benefit. With UnitedHealthcare, you can choose from several policies with varying deductibles and term lengths.
All companies offer a range of policies with varying deductibles and coverage levels. A typical short-term health insurance policy will cost about $200 per month for a mid-tier plan with a $5,000 deductible.
Monthly cost for a short-term health insurance plan
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area
UnitedHealthcare: Best overall plan
UnitedHealthcare short-term health insurance is the best option if you are looking for multiple plan choices that offer benefits not always found in short-term plans, such as preventive care and optional dental coverage where available.
While some UHC plans restrict your care to network health care providers, UHC has a sizable network of more than 1.4 million medical providers and 6,500 hospitals.
UHC is a well-known and reputable insurance company with a very low rate of customer complaints. Short-term policies offered by UHC are underwritten through a subsidiary, Golden Rule Insurance Co. Both companies have strong financial strength ratings, meaning they have a high ability to pay out policy claims.
Everest: Most comprehensive medical benefits
Everest has the best short-term insurance plans if you want coverage for wellness visits, emergency care and mental health care — unique services not typically covered by this type of policy.
Everest offers a variety of plans with deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Other companies start with a minimum deductible of $2,500. The lower deductible means you pay less out of pocket and meet your deductible more quickly, allowing plan benefits to kick in sooner.
Along with coverage for adults, Everest has plans with wide-ranging coverage for children aged 2 to 25 years. It also offers child-only plans, which aren’t always available from other insurers: Many short-term plans provide coverage for children only if they share your policy with their parent(s). This option can be helpful if you need to insure your child during a temporary break in health coverage.
Pivot: Best for affordability and value
Pivot Health offers four levels of coverage to meet your short-term insurance needs and budget. Pivot deductibles are between $1,000 and $10,000, a lower range than many short-term plans. Some Pivot plans charge a flat copay of $30 to $60 for medical visits, rather than coinsurance. Copays are typically cheaper than coinsurance and provide the comfort of knowing exactly what you’ll pay for each visit.
Pivot Health has some bonuses that are not usually available for short-term health insurance. This includes access to a telemedicine program that is open 24/7 and allows you to speak to a medical professional on demand. Other perks include up to 70% off prescription drugs and potential discounts of up to 30% on eye exams, glasses and contact lenses.
Policy options include child-only plans, so you can buy temporary coverage just for your child. There is no network requirement attached to many Pivot plans, meaning you can receive care from almost any doctor.
Allstate Health: Best for bundling
Previously sold under the brand National General, these short-term policies are now being marketed under its new parent company, Allstate.
If you have Allstate for home or auto insurance, using the same company for medical insurance can be an added convenience. However, there is not currently a multi-plan discount for Allstate short-term medical policies.
Allstate’s short-term medical plans are usually more expensive than other companies when comparing the same level of coverage. Very cheap plans are available, though these bargain plans can have very poor benefits. For example, a plan could have a $25,000 deductible and a maximum benefit of $250,000, rather than more typical minimal coverage with a $10,000 deductible and a $1 million benefit cap.
Plans use the Aetna PPO network, which gives you a good choice of doctors. Coverage for preventative care is usually included, and urgent care appointments can be cheap because you’ll pay lower rates even if you haven’t yet met your deductible.
Best short-term health insurance plans — a quick guide
What is short-term health insurance?
Short-term health insurance plans provide limited medical coverage that is best used for when you have temporary gaps between full-benefit health insurance plans.
Plans usually cost less than a traditional health insurance policy, and short-term plans are sometimes called instant health insurance, as coverage typically begins as soon as your application is approved.
Benefits can vary widely because short-term plans do not have to adhere to standard coverage requirements. This means it’s important to carefully check the plan details so you know what’s covered and what’s excluded.
Unlike an individual health insurance plan, a temporary health plan may deny you an insurance policy based on a preexisting condition or health standards set by the insurer. During the application process, you must answer some questions about your health history, and you may need to undergo a medical exam as well.
blue cross short term health insurance
Getting sick can be expensive. Even minor illnesses and injuries can cost thousands of dollars to diagnose and treat. Major illnesses can cost many times that. Health care coverage helps you get the care you need and protects you and your family financially if you get sick or injured.
How do I get health insurance?
Group insurance
Insurance you get through your job or an association is called group insurance. You must be a member of the group to get coverage. Most people get health insurance through their job, but not all employers offer it.
Individual insurance
Insurance you buy directly from a company or the marketplace is called individual insurance because it’s sold to individuals, not to a group. For lists of companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that sell individual health insurance in Texas, visit the Companies that sell health plans page on our website.
To buy through the marketplace, visit HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596.
You must meet eligibility requirements for government health care programs. For more information about government programs, visit Benefits.gov.
Learn more: Health insurance: 5 things you may not know | Watch: Are you suddenly needing health insurance?
How do I get insurance for my family?
You can add your family to a work health plan. If you buy from an insurance company or the marketplace, you can buy a plan that also covers your family.
You can keep your dependent children on your plan until they turn 26. They don’t have to live at home, be enrolled in school, or be claimed as a dependent on your tax return. You can keep married children on your plan, but you can’t add their spouses or children to it.
If you have dependent grandchildren, you can keep them on your plan until they turn 25.
You usually must buy a plan during the open enrollment period
The open enrollment period for marketplace and individual plans is from November 1 to December 15 each year. You can buy at other times only if you lose your coverage or have a life change. Life changes include things like getting married or divorced, having a baby, or adopting a child.
You can sign up for a work health plan when you’re first hired or have a major life change. You have 31 days to decide whether you want to join the plan. You might have to wait up to 90 days for your coverage to start. If you join your work plan, you must wait until the next open enrollment period if you decide to drop out or change your coverage. The open enrollment period for work plans might be different from the marketplace period.
You can’t be turned down if you have a preexisting condition
Insurance companies must sell to anyone who applies during the open enrollment period. They can’t deny you coverage or charge you more because of a preexisting condition or disability.
The cost depends on your circumstances. You’ll have to pay premiums and part of the cost of your care. A premium is a monthly fee you pay to have coverage. To decide your premium, insurance companies will consider:
They may not consider your gender or health factors, including your medical history or whether you have a disability.
Premiums for individual plans are locked in for one year. Rates usually go up when the plan is renewed to reflect your age and higher health care costs. Federal law requires companies to justify rate increases of 10% or more. For more information, visit HealthCare.gov’s Rate Review page.
If you get health insurance at work, the insurance company will base premiums on the whole group. You might have to pay more if you use tobacco. Your employer might pay all or some of your premiums. If you include your family on your health plan, your employer usually won’t pay their premiums.
Premium tax credits can help you pay for coverage
Tax credits are amounts taken off what you owe in taxes. You can use this savings to pay your health insurance premiums. To get a tax credit, you must buy through the federal marketplace. Your income must be between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
You can’t get a tax credit if your employer offers affordable health insurance or your income is below the poverty level.
For more information about tax credits, visit HealthCare.gov’s Saving Money on Health Insurance page.
You and your health plan share the cost of your care
All health plans require you to pay some of the cost of your health care. This is called cost-sharing. In addition to premiums, you usually must meet a deductible and pay copayments and coinsurance.
Federal law sets limits on the amount you pay out of pocket in a plan year. Some plans have lower out-of-pocket limits. After you reach the limit, you don’t have to pay copayments or coinsurance for the rest of the plan year. You still have to pay premiums, though. A plan year is the 12-month period from the date your coverage started. For instance, if your coverage started on September 1, your plan year lasts until August 31.
There are four types of major medical health plans in Texas. Major medical plans cover a broad range of health care services. The four types are:
All four types are managed care plans. This means they contract with doctors and other health care providers to treat their members at discounted rates. These providers make up a plan’s network. Managed care plans limit your choice of doctors or encourage you to use doctors in their networks. In return, you pay less out of pocket for your care. The plans differ in the extent to which you can use doctors outside the network and whether you must have a doctor to oversee your care.
HMO plans
You must use providers in the HMO’s network. If you don’t, you might have to pay the full cost of your care yourself. There are exceptions for emergencies and if you need care that isn’t available in the network.
You must choose a doctor to oversee your health care. This doctor is called your primary care physician. You usually must get a referral from your primary care physician to go to a specialist. Women don’t need a referral to go to an OB/GYN if the doctor is in the HMO’s network. Under some circumstance, you can use a specialist as your primary care physician. To do this, you must have an ongoing, disabling or life-threatening condition.
EPO plans
You must use providers in the network. If you don’t, you might have to pay the full cost of your care. There are exceptions for emergencies and if you need care that isn’t available in the network.
EPO plans usually don’t require you to have a primary care physician. You also don’t need a referral to go to a specialist.
PPO plans
You can go to any doctor you choose, but your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you use doctors in the PPO’s network. You don’t have to choose a primary care physician, and you don’t need a referral to go to a specialist.
Point-of-service plans
Like PPO plans, point-of-service plans let you go to any doctor you choose. But your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you use doctors in the plan’s network. You usually must have a primary care physician and get referrals to specialists. Women don’t need a referral to go to an OB/GYN.
immediate health insurance
Short-term health insurance plans are typically much more affordable than major medical plans. Short-term plans are available for as little as $55 per month,* compared to at least $225 per month for major medical coverage*.
* This is the based on average pricing for plans from eHealth, but actual prices available depend on zip code, age, gender, and other factors. Get a personalized quote to see what may be available for you.
Is short-term health insurance worth it?
Short-term health insurance can be a good option for individuals who are healthy and do not generally require health services or have regular prescription needs. Short-term health insurance is often worth it for those who want a health plan in case of emergency or need immediate coverage.
What does short-term health insurance cover?
Short-term health insurance coverage will vary based on the plan you choose. Most short-term plans will cover emergency hospital visits, certain prescription medications, and some doctors appointments not related to pre-existing conditions.
Most temporary health insurance plans do not cover treatment for pre-existing conditions, maternity care, and mental health, among other items. Short-term plans do not guarantee the essential health benefits and protections in Affordable Care Act plans. Short-term plans may also have waiting periods, during which the plan will not cover certain conditions at the beginning of the plan. If you end one term on a short-term plan, and then begin another short-term plan, you may lose coverage for certain conditions that become pre-existing conditions and may have to restart any deductible or waiting period period requirement in your plan. In some cases, you cannot extend your short-term coverage or buy another short-term plan when your short-term coverage ends. Short-term plans also generallyhave an overall maximum amount they will pay out in coverage.
Be sure to read the details of your plan carefully to understand the limitations of your coverage. The above summary is only general guidance, so you must review your plan’s official documentation to see your plan’s coverage, limitations, and restrictions.
Who qualifies for short-term health insurance?
To qualify for short-term health insurance, you will likely have to fill out a health questionnaire and you may need to disclose any pre-existing conditions, which can disqualify you from obtaining coverage with a temporary health insurance plan. You may also be disqualified by some insurance companies if you:
Please note this is not an inclusive list of all reasons you may be disqualified for a short-term plan. Plan qualifications will vary based on the carrier.
Who should get short-term health insurance?
Short-term health insurance gives you temporary coverage during a lapse in permanent coverage, protecting you from expensive medical bills that arise from unexpected health changes or emergencies. You are eligible for short-term health insurance if you:
Temporary health insurance can provide you proof of coverage you need to participate in various activities or vocations. If you need temporary coverage, our licensed eHealth insurance agents will find the right plan for your specific needs!
Short-term plans vs major medical insurance
Get quick short-term health insurance coverage with:
Temporary health insurance plans don’t typically offer the same amount of coverage as long-term health insurance. However, they provide emergency coverage for those who aren’t ready to purchase an ACA-compliant plan or need temporary coverage before their long term health insurance plan kicks in.
eHealth’s team of experienced agents are here to help you find the right plan, and can also help expand your coverage to include dental and vision insurance.