Benefits of Short-term Health Insurance
Short-term health insurance is an excellent option for those who find themselves without insurance for a short period of time. Those who find themselves suddenly experiencing a change in status in their job or their schooling should take comfort in the knowledge that there is a form of health insurance which they are likely eligible for. Because one never knows when they may need insurance, it is always wise to have some form of it. Accidents happen all too often, and the best thing to do is to be prepared for them when they do occur. In addition, even people who have experienced terrific health throughout their whole life can suddenly fall ill. This uncertainty as to when a medical crisis might arrive is reason enough to make sure that one is protected at all times.
It is highly possible that if someone is healthy and suddenly find themselves unemployed, or if they have recently graduated from school, they may discover that they are eligible to obtain short-term health insurance. Other cases in which people would be eligible are if they are employed only on a part-time basis, or if they are about to leave home for the first time. People who retire early are also usually eligible.
One reason why a short-term health insurance plan is so appealing is because it is often quite affordable. The premium tends to be quite low. The main reason for this is that competition between health insurance companies is at an all-time high. They are trying to out-do each other by offering rates which appeal to potential consumers. Obviously, people who are in need of short-term insurance are the ones who benefit the most from this competition. In fact, it is very possible for someone who is making monthly payments on their short-term insurance to be paying less than they might have to pay for a car.
One thing that people who are interested in short-term health insurance must keep in mind is that it is intended solely for those individuals and families who are healthy. There must be absolutely no pre-existing medical conditions present which might lead to future medical issues. Again, short-term health insurance is to be used only as a kind of safety net in the case that something happens which requires medical attention. If a person does enough research, they are practically guaranteed to find a comprehensive and generous plan. Some policies can even allow for up to $2 million in coverage per person.
However, just as its name says, short-term health policies are to be viewed only as a temporary solution. Although there are some insurance plans which will allow for coverage up to 36 months, these are definitely the exception to the rule. Most of the more reputable short-term insurance policies make sure that customers limit their plans to 12 months or fewer. Another appealing element of some plans is that they are often purchased in one month increments. This makes the transition from one’s short-term coverage to their long-term plan as smooth as possible.
Again, the most important thing that one should keep in mind as they are preparing to purchase short-term health insurance is that under no circumstance are they allowed to use the insurance for a pre-existing medical condition. If a person attempts to have an illness or injury covered that they had prior knowledge of, the chances are very good that the coverage will be denied. This will leave the person in the unenviable position of having to pay for both the short-term insurance and the medical treatment of the pre-existing condition.
Short-term health insurance is almost always available to people who find themselves in some form of a changed status. The most common times when people need short-term insurance is when they have experienced a loss of a job or when they have undergone a change in their educational status. To the great benefit of consumers from all parts of the United States, a renewed sense of competition within the field of health insurance has driven the price of this type of coverage way down. On the other hand, almost all short-term health insurance policies have a long list of limitations and exclusions. Because of this, people who are looking into this type of insurance are encouraged to seek the counsel of their agent before purchasing short-term health insurance. It is widely agreed upon, however, that opting to buy this form of insurance is well worth the cost.
