California Short Term Health Insurance

California Short Term Health insurance provides temporary medical insurance coverage that guard against the catastrophic costs of unexpected medical bills. Companies such as Blue Cross and HealthNet offer a few plans with different benefit levels. Temporary or short-term health insurance is meant to provide coverage from 30 to 365 days and it allows you to use your own doctors and hospitals. All Short-Term plans are PPO.

When you need affordable California health insurance and are between permanent employer-sponsored plans, temporary health insurance offers gap, often called "bridge" coverage, which can give you and your family peace of mind. Most short-term health insurance policies cover physician services, prescriptions, X-ray, laboratory services, inpatient hospital stays, outpatient surgeries, skilled nursing facility care and rehabilitation. For those more basic plans, that do not have co-pays for office visits, the member does get the reduced rate or "contract" pricing for all services, which apply to the deductible.

Deductible Waiver for Accidents

In California almost all short-term policies waive the deductible for accidents. So, if you are shopping for a short-term policy I often advise my clients to go with a higher deductible plans (lower premium) due to the fact that the carrier is going to waiver the high deductible in the event of an accident. When an accident occurs and the deductible is waived the member's out of pocket exposure is typically only $1000. Once the out of pocket is maximum is met the carrier pays 100% with 2 million dollars in coverage. Due to the fact that most people are purchasing short-term plans to prevent against the catastrophic accident, during a short period of time, this has been a well-received strategy.

What's not covered with California Short-Term Health Insurance?

Well visits and check-ups are not covered. Please refer to the specific benefits for exclusions and limitations before purchasing a short-term health plan.

Do Short-Term plans have the same health underwriting requirements as permanent or traditional plans?

No, short-term health plans have much more lenient underwriting guidelines due to the fact that the policy is only in place for up to 6 months. Provided you don't have diabetes, cancer, health disease and/or a few other critical illnesses short-term health insurance is relatively easy to acquire.

WHEN TO USE	COST (approximate)	APPROVAL PROCESS	BENEFITS / LIMITS
If you know exactly how many days you will need insurance. 30 days to 180 days in coverage.	VERY AFFORDABLE  $3.00 to $10.00 per day depending on deductible, age and how many members on plan.	Most short-term plans have very limited underwriting and can start the day after they are paid for.	Quick Approval Major Coverage Basic Features Limited Use. Not Usually Renewable

Typical situations where Short Term health insurance is perfect:

• Between jobs, and you know when you will start the new job and insurance.
• Waiting for your Group insurance to start on a known an insurance start date.
• Waiting for open enrollment, and you know when the business insurance will begin.
• Students who have SUMMER INSURANCE GAPS.
• Individuals who are just short of retirement and have state plans starting on their birthday.

Can I extend the policy beyond six months? 

Yes, it is possible.  The carrier will look at your previous six months claims history.  About 75% of plans do get renewed.

Is there prescription coverage with Short-Terms plan?

Yes, some plans have generic and some do include Brand coverage.  Typically, there is a deductible for Brand Rx.

Will Short-Term plans cover my pre-existing conditions?

Yes, provided you have had credible and continuous coverage within 63 days there will be coverage for most pre-existing conditions.

 

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If you have any questions or you wish to review your specific situation please call our office at 877-840-0554.