March 18, 2013
In times of transition, it is good to have a safety net. Suffering an illness or injury can be financially devastating if your life circumstances have temporarily left you without health insurance. Luckily, there are policies that will allow you to remain protected against catastrophic health events while you settle into new circumstances.
Short-term health insurance can help you and your family bridge the gap if life changes have left you without health insurance. Buying short-term health insurance is something you can do to protect yourself and your family in case of illness or accident while your life is in transition.
These policies are an ideal solution for people who find themselves in a number of different life circumstances. Healthy individuals who have lost their jobs and are looking for lower cost alternatives to COBRA (created by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) may find these policies a good option. They are also good for graduating students who no longer qualify for insurance through their parents’ health insurance policies. Short-term policies can help bridge the gap for people who have retired early and do not yet qualify for Medicare coverage. Temporary health insurance is also a good option for temporary workers who will only be in their current position and location for a limited amount of time.
One of the many advantages of short-term health insurance is the relatively low cost of these types of policies. For instance, if you have lost your job, short-term health insurance is an affordable alternative to COBRA insurance. COBRA policies can often cost hundreds of dollars a month, which many of the newly jobless may find unaffordable. While you are looking for a new job, the cost savings of a short-term policy can be incredibly beneficial and can help you maintain your cash cushion until a new position presents itself.
Short-term health insurance policies are flexible. Most can be purchased for terms ranging from one month to one year. There is typically no fee for canceling a short-term health insurance policy before the end of the term. There are no open enrollment periods. The policy can be purchased at any time and cancelled when it is no longer needed.
These types of policies, however, are not ideal for everyone or every circumstance. Typically, preexisting conditions will not be covered by temporary health insurance policies. Routine preventative care is not covered. If you have a chronic condition that requires you to take prescription medications on a regular basis or that requires frequent medical care, a short-term policy may not be appropriate for your needs.
However, if you are a healthy individual, this sort of insurance can be just what is needed during changing life circumstances. A short-term policy means that, if you become ill or get injured, you are protected from potentially crushing medical costs. Contact us for a quote to look at the policies we have available so you can see whether temporary health insurance suits your current needs.
For assistance with short term health insurance please visit California Health Plans or call 1-800-585-1776.
