Compare Health Insurance Options in Ohio
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Who Needs Short Term Health Insurance?
Short term health insurance is a temporary stopgap — not a long-term solution. It's best suited for healthy individuals who face a brief window without coverage and don't have significant ongoing medical needs.
Here are the most common situations where it makes sense:
| Situation | Why Short Term Helps |
|---|---|
| Between jobs | Covers unexpected emergencies during a coverage gap |
| Missed ACA open enrollment | No qualifying event = no marketplace access until next cycle |
| Waiting for employer coverage | New hires often face 30–90 day waiting periods |
| Early retirees (under 65) | Bridge the gap to Medicare eligibility |
| Recent college graduates | Aged off a parent's plan, waiting for employer benefits |
| Freelancers/contractors | Need temporary coverage while weighing longer-term options |
What Short Term Health Insurance Covers (And Doesn't)
Understanding coverage gaps before you buy can save you from a nasty financial surprise. Short term plans are designed to protect you from large, unexpected medical bills — not comprehensive everyday care.
What's Typically Covered
Most short term plans will cover the following (subject to your deductible and coinsurance):
- Emergency room visits and ambulance transport for new injuries or illnesses
- Hospitalization — room, board, and surgery for acute conditions
- Doctor and urgent care visits for unexpected illnesses or injuries
- Some diagnostic tests and labs related to covered conditions
What's Usually NOT Covered
This is where short term plans differ dramatically from ACA-compliant insurance:
Pre-Existing Conditions
Short term plans are medically underwritten, meaning insurers review your health history and can deny coverage or exclude specific conditions. Conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure are routinely excluded — sometimes even if you didn't know you had them at the time of enrollment.
Preventive Care
Unlike ACA plans, short term insurance is not required to cover the 10 essential health benefits. Most plans exclude routine screenings, well-woman exams, vaccinations, and annual physicals — or offer only minimal benefits.
Prescription Drugs
Many short term plans either exclude outpatient drug coverage entirely or offer only a discount card rather than true insurance. Maintenance medications for chronic conditions (insulin, blood pressure meds, antidepressants) are commonly not covered.
Short Term Health Insurance Costs & Duration
How Much Does It Cost?
Short term health insurance is significantly cheaper than COBRA or ACA marketplace plans — but that lower price comes with real trade-offs.
| Age Group | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| 20s–30s (healthy) | $80 – $200/month |
| 40s–50s (healthy) | $120 – $250+/month |
| Older or limited health history | $250 – $400+/month |
Costs vary based on your age, state, deductible level, and benefit maximum. The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your monthly premium.
Key Cost-Sharing Details
- Deductibles: Typically $1,000–$10,000 per term
- Coinsurance: Plans usually pay 70–80% after the deductible; you pay 20–30%
- Out-of-pocket maximum: Often $5,000–$25,000 per term
- Policy maximum (benefit cap): Can be as low as $100,000 — far less protection than an ACA plan
How Long Can You Stay on a Short Term Plan?
Duration limits depend heavily on your state and recent federal rule changes. As of August 2025, federal agencies announced they would no longer prioritize enforcing the Biden-era rule that limited short term plans to just 4 months total — effectively allowing longer plans where state law permits.
| Coverage Duration | States |
|---|---|
| Banned entirely | CA, NY, NJ, MA, IL, WA, CO, CT, and others (~20 states) |
| Up to 3–6 months | VA, OR, MD, DE and similar |
| Up to 12 months | KS, WI, SD and similar |
| Up to 36 months | AL, AZ, FL, GA, TX, OH, TN, and many others |
Always confirm your state's rules before shopping — availability and term limits vary significantly.
COBRA vs. Short Term vs. ACA Plans: Which Is Right for You?
When you lose employer coverage, you have three primary options. Here's how they compare:
When to Choose COBRA
- You have ongoing treatment or chronic conditions requiring continuity of care
- You want to keep your current doctors and prescriptions
- Your income is stable and you can afford $600–$750/month (individual) or $2,000+/month (family)
- Your coverage gap is expected to be short (a few months or less)
When to Choose Short Term Insurance
- You are generally healthy with no significant pre-existing conditions
- You need affordable gap coverage for a few weeks to months
- You missed ACA open enrollment and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period
- You want the fastest possible coverage (often effective the next day)
Don't Overlook ACA Marketplace Plans
If your income dropped after a job loss, you may qualify for premium tax credits that make ACA plans surprisingly affordable — sometimes cheaper than short term plans. Use Healthcare.gov to check eligibility before defaulting to COBRA or short term coverage.
How to Buy Short Term Health Insurance
Buying short term health insurance is straightforward, but you need to shop carefully.
Step-by-Step Buying Guide
- Check your state's rules — Confirm whether short term plans are available in your state and how long they can last
- Get quotes online — Use brokers like eHealth, Pivot Health, or go directly to carriers like UnitedHealthOne
- Compare coverage, not just price — Look at deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, exclusions, and policy maximums
- Complete the health questionnaire — Short term plans are medically underwritten; answer honestly
- Review your approval and exclusions — Insurers can deny you, approve with exclusions, or approve fully
- Choose your start date and pay — Coverage often begins as soon as the next business day
What to Look For When Shopping
- Policy maximum: Higher is better — look for at least $500,000–$1M
- Network type: PPO networks offer the most provider flexibility
- Real drug coverage vs. discount cards: Make sure prescription benefits are actual insurance
- Clear exclusions list: Read it — this is where you'll find the true gaps in coverage
- Insurer financial strength: Check the carrier's AM Best rating for claims-paying reliability
Frequently Asked Questions
Is short term health insurance worth it?
Short term health insurance is worth it if you're healthy and need temporary gap coverage at an affordable price. It offers real protection against large unexpected medical bills like ER visits or hospitalizations. However, if you have pre-existing conditions, need prescriptions, or require mental health care, the coverage gaps may outweigh the savings. Always compare it against ACA plans — especially if you qualify for subsidies.
Can I be denied short term health insurance?
Yes. Unlike ACA marketplace plans, short term health insurance uses medical underwriting. Insurers can deny your application, exclude specific conditions, or charge higher premiums based on your health history. Common reasons for denial include chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer history, recent surgeries, and pregnancy.
Does short term health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No — this is one of the biggest distinctions. Short term health insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. Insurers typically look back 2–5 years at your medical history and exclude any conditions you were treated for, had symptoms of, or were advised to seek treatment for. This is fundamentally different from ACA-compliant plans, which must cover all pre-existing conditions.
How long can you be on short term health insurance?
It depends on your state. As of mid-2025, federal enforcement of strict 4-month limits was relaxed, allowing plans of up to 12 or even 36 months where state law permits. However, approximately 20 states ban short term plans entirely, and others cap them at 3–6 months. Always verify your state's rules before purchasing a plan.
What's the difference between short term health insurance and COBRA?
COBRA lets you continue your exact employer plan after leaving a job — including coverage for pre-existing conditions, prescriptions, and all essential benefits — but at full cost, often $600–$750/month for an individual. Short term health insurance is far cheaper ($80–$300/month) but excludes pre-existing conditions and many benefits. COBRA is better if you have ongoing health needs; short term is better if you're healthy and just need temporary protection at a lower cost.