Short term health insurance rule

The facts about the Federal short term health insurance rule

If you’re someone shopping for short term health insurance¹ the way federal regulations surrounding temporary health insurance have been changing over the last few years may have you asking, "Is this coverage still for me?"

The answer: These changes to regulations are no reason to delay looking for this type of coverage, like a Short Term Medical plan, underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company.

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Short term health insurance hasn’t really changed

The main result of the current federal rule is to define short term limited duration insurance to a term of less than 12 months (364 days). However, states still have the final authority to regulate short term health insurance, so plan lengths will vary by state.

Still, the coverage you can get from short term health insurance hasn't changed no matter what length federal regulations say it can be. It remains a fast and flexible solution to temporary health insurance needs.

Why short term might be the best health insurance for you?

Short term medical insurance may be your best coverage option for a number of reasons.

It can be budget-friendly coverage while you are between long-term solutions.
It’s available when you need it. You can apply for it year round, not just during some special enrollment period.
You can get it fast. If you qualify, coverage could be in effect as soon as the next day after you apply in many cases.
You can adapt it to your situation. If you find long-term coverage, you can drop your temporary health insurance coverage without penalty.
You can customize it to your needs. Choose from a range of deductibles. Choose whether or not to include coverage for prescriptions. Add coverage for accidents.

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Footnotes

Short term plans are medically underwritten. This coverage is not required to comply with certain federal market requirements for health insurance, principally those contained in the Affordable Care Act. Be sure to check your policy/certificate carefully to make sure you are aware of any exclusions or limitations regarding coverage of preexisting conditions or health benefits (such as hospitalization, emergency services, maternity care, preventive care, prescription drugs, and mental health and substance use disorder services). Your policy/certificate might also have lifetime and/or annual dollar limits on health benefits. If this coverage expires or you lose eligibility for this coverage, you might have to wait until an open enrollment period to get other health insurance coverage. This is not Minimum Essential coverage as defined in the Affordable Care Act and may not cover all Essential Health Benefits in your state. Some Short Term plans are available as association group insurance only to members of FACT, an independent association. Additional membership fees may be required.

No individual applying for health coverage through the individual Marketplace will be discouraged from applying for benefits, turned down for coverage, or charged more premium because of health status, medical condition, mental illness claims experience, medical history, genetic information or health disability. In addition, no individual will be denied coverage based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, political affiliation or source of income.

References to UnitedHealthcare pertain to each individual company or other UnitedHealthcare affiliated companies.

Administrative services are provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.

Products and services offered are underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, Health Plan of Nevada, Inc., Oxford Health Insurance, Inc., UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York, Inc.

This policy has exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call (or write) your insurance agent or the company (whichever is applicable).