Temporary Health Insurance Between Jobs: Your Options
Consider the risks of going without health insurance for even a couple of months. Accidents, prescription needs, and ongoing medical treatments could become costly without coverage.
While this situation might seem temporary, maintaining health insurance between jobs is essential to avoid high costs from unexpected injuries or illnesses.
You have three ways to cover an insurance gap:
- COBRA Insurance Option ($$$$$)
Covers Pre-existing Conditions
Use COBRA to continue your most recent employer’s health plan for a limited time. - Affordable Care Act Plan ($$$)
Covers Pre-existing Conditions
Choose from a variety of ACA-compliant plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Similar to work insurance, ACA covers essential health services. - Short-Term Medical Plan – Gap Coverage ($$)
New Accident & Illness Coverage Only
Short-term medical plans provide an affordable option if COBRA is too expensive or unavailable.
View the available medical coverage plans in your state:
Short-Term Health Plans
Short-term health plans offer temporary medical coverage for unexpected illnesses and emergencies during gaps in health insurance. While they exclude benefits for pre-existing conditions, these plans are a cost-effective option for individuals in good health seeking reliable, short-term protection.
Flexible Health Coverage Option
You can use any doctor or clinic
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Gap Health Insurance Options Available for Short-Term Needs
Gap health insurance, also known as short-term health insurance, provides temporary coverage for individuals transitioning between major medical plans. These plans offer protection against unexpected medical expenses, such as injuries or new illnesses. While affordable, they typically exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, making them ideal for those in good health seeking short-term peace of mind.
Types Of Term Health Insurance
Term health insurance plans are available for durations ranging from one month to one year. These plans often start the next day after enrollment, offering quick activation. You can cancel at any time, making them a flexible option for temporary coverage needs.
Short-Term Medical Plan
Provides coverage for new illnesses or unexpected accidents. Great for those in good health.
Accident Only Coverage
An affordable option to cover new injuries or accidents that arise. Pre-existing conditions do not exclude you from enrolling in Accident Only medical insurance.
Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
Marketplace ACA Obamacare
Marketplace health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cover pre-existing conditions, providing comprehensive benefits such as prescription medications, emergency services, and wellness exams. These plans ensure guaranteed acceptance regardless of your medical history, age, or gender. Many participants qualify for government subsidies, making ACA plans an affordable choice for both short-term and long-term coverage needs.
Among alternatives to COBRA, marketplace health insurance plans have no time limits, offer access to a wide network of providers and extend coverage regardless of age, gender or health condition. As roughly 80% of participants receive some form of government subsidy, costs tend to be affordable, whether you intend to use this plan long-term or for a few months in between jobs.
Should You Start New Employer Health Insurance, you have the flexibility to cancel this plan, aligning your coverage with your changing circumstances.
Some People Can Get Health Insurance For $10/Month. Depending on your state of residence and your income, you may qualify for a subsidy for a fully qualified health plan that may be low to no cost.
Employer COBRA
COBRA allows you to continue your employer-sponsored health insurance after leaving a job. Coverage includes pre-existing conditions and prescription drugs, with benefits retroactively applied to the date you lost your plan. While more expensive since you pay the full premium, COBRA ensures uninterrupted access to your current healthcare providers and benefits like your HSA account.
Approx. $500 – 800/mo
Getting COBRA Between Jobs
The COBRA Act compels companies with 20 or more workers to allow workers to continue on the employer health plan by paying the entire premium.
Your employer or their third-party administrator should offer you the option to continue your previous work plan within 45 days. You will have 60 days to enroll or waive your right to COBRA.
Is COBRA Unavailable?
If COBRA is not available to you or too expensive, you may register an account with COBRAinsurance.com and review short-term medical or accident only insurance plans.
Temporary Health Insurance
Temporary health insurance, also known as term health insurance, offers an affordable way to bridge coverage gaps between jobs. These plans are designed to provide essential benefits for a limited time, ensuring you remain protected against unexpected medical costs during transitions.
Short-Term Medical Plan
Flex Term Health Insurance covers unexpected injuries and new illnesses to protect you from costly medical bills.
The pricing for the plans starts at $85/ mo
Based on age and state availability
Key Benefits
- Temporary Health Coverage: This plan provides short-term insurance during transitions, like between jobs or while waiting for other coverage, with terms from one month to a year.
- Flexible Plan Options: Choose from various options with different deductibles and coverage limits to meet immediate needs.
- Coverage Gaps: While offering protection for unexpected medical events, short-term plans may exclude pre-existing conditions, have higher out-of-pocket costs, and offer limited benefits compared to long-term insurance.
Accident Only Coverage
Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability
Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Key Benefits
- Accident-Focused Protection: This plan provides essential financial assistance for medical expenses caused by accidental injuries. It includes coverage for emergency treatment, hospitalization, and follow-up care, ensuring you have access to necessary medical support when an accident occurs.
- Supplemental Coverage: Designed to work alongside your existing health insurance, this accident-only plan offers additional support for unexpected injuries. However, it does not cover illnesses or routine medical care.
- Limited Scope of Benefits: Coverage under this plan is strictly limited to accidents, excluding expenses related to illnesses, pre-existing conditions, or non-accidental injuries. For complete protection, consider pairing it with broader health insurance.
Limited Indemnity Plan
Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability
Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Key Benefits
- Core Health Benefits: This plan offers limited indemnity coverage that pays a set amount per day or per service for specified medical expenses, such as hospital stays and doctor visits, helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs for routine healthcare needs.
- Fixed Payout Structure: The coverage provides predetermined payouts for covered services, which means the plan pays a fixed amount regardless of the actual costs incurred, making it a budget-friendly option for managing basic medical expenses.
- Coverage Limitations: While providing essential coverage for routine and preventive care, this plan does not cover major medical expenses or catastrophic events, and the benefits are capped, limiting the total amount the policy will pay.
Other Medical Coverage
Don’t miss out on other essential health benefits. Sign up for private dental and vision insurance to complement your existing coverage.
Check out these additional plans that are available to you and your family.
Dental Insurance
Ameritas Private Dental Plans
Plans start at less that $1/day.
Based state availability
The Core Dental Insurance plans can provide coverage for preventive, basic and major dental expenses with the dentist of your choice. Also, some plans include additional benefits like vision, hearing, orthodontia, teeth whitening, Dental Rewards® and more.
Core Dental Insurance is a private Ameritas Dental Plan.
Vision Plans
Plans start at $5/month.
Based state availability
EyeMed is the leading vision insurance company in the United States. Its network of over 44,000 independent and retail in-network providers includes thousands of national retail providers like LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, and Target Optical. This gives EyeMed members access to a wide range of vision care services at affordable prices.
Telehealth
Teladoc is a Telehealth service that offers round-the-clock access to a network of U.S. Board Certified doctors for diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and prescription refills for common health concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do for health insurance between jobs?
When changing jobs, think about COBRA. It helps you keep your old employer’s health plan. You can also look for short-term health insurance. This is a good temporary option. Another choice is to check the marketplace for full coverage. Each choice offers benefits depending on your health needs and budget.
Is opting for COBRA coverage between jobs a good idea?
COBRA allows you to maintain your existing employer-sponsored health insurance after leaving a job. It offers the advantage of uninterrupted coverage but may be more costly as you’ll pay the full premium. Evaluate if the comprehensive benefits justify the higher cost compared to other short-term options.
How can I maintain health insurance after leaving my job?
After leaving a job, you can keep your health insurance with COBRA. You can also sign up for a plan through the health insurance marketplace. Another option is to consider short-term health insurance. Each option provides a way to stay covered, with varying costs and coverage lengths.
Are term health insurance plans expensive?
Term health insurance, or short-term health insurance, is typically less expensive than traditional health plans. The lower price is due to less coverage and a shorter policy, making it a budget-friendly option for job gaps.
Why is short-term health insurance less expensive?
Term health insurance, or short-term health insurance, is typically less expensive than traditional health plans. The lower price is due to less coverage and a shorter policy, making it a budget-friendly option for job gaps.
How can I address a gap in my health insurance coverage?
If you need health insurance, think about short-term plans for quick coverage. For longer needs, look at marketplace plans. You can also use COBRA to keep your old employer’s coverage for a while. Each option offers a solution based on your coverage needs and financial situation.
What are the qualifying events for a special enrollment period?
- Getting married
- Having, adopting, or placement of a child
- Medical Child Support Orders (MCSO) issued by state or federal court
- Permanently moving to a new area that offers different health plan options
- Losing other health coverage because of a job loss, divorce, or loss of eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP.
- People in an Insurance Marketplace may have changes in their income or household situation. These changes can affect their eligibility for tax credits or cost-sharing assistance.
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We can help you find an affordable health insurance plan before your next major medical health coverage begins.
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Short-Term Health Insurance Options During Job Transition
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Accident Only plans start at $44*
with coverage starting tomorrow!
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877-262-7241
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Temporary health insurance is a popular, affordable solution to cover gaps in coverage while you are between Major Medical plans.
*Eligibility for short term medical insurance is based on age and state availability.
