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 provide temporary major medical coverage for new illnesses and emergencies during a gap between health plans. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, and generally, these plans are ideal for individuals in good health.
Gap Coverage – Easy Online Enrollment
You can use any doctor or clinic
Choose Your Coverage Start Date!
Any Questions? Contact Us
877-262-7241
Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., EST.
Friday, 6 a.m. – 4 p.m., EST.
Temporary Health Insurance
Term Health Insurance offers cost-effective, temporary coverage, ideal for bridging gaps between jobs and health plans.
Short-Term Health Plans
Short-term health plans provide temporary coverage. They help with new illnesses and emergencies. This is useful when you don’t have a regular health plan. They exclude pre-existing conditions, and generally, these plans suit individuals in good health.
Are short-term health insurance plans a good investment?
Short-term health insurance can help cover gaps in health care at a lower cost than regular insurance plans. They are particularly useful for healthy individuals needing temporary coverage. However, consider the limited benefits and potential exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
The pricing depends on your age and state of residency. View plans available in your state.
Coverage For Pre-existing Conditions
Marketplace ACA Obamacare
Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions, providing a reliable health care coverage option when you’re between jobs. These plans not only guarantee acceptance regardless of medical history but also include benefits like prescription medications, wellness exams, emergency services, and other essential health benefits.
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 insurance covers pre-existing conditions, including prescription drug benefits, retroactively to the date you lost your employer plan. Your deductible also rolls over, and you can continue seeing the same medical providers for the time being. Additionally, you will still have access to your HSA account.
Approx. $500 – 800/mo
Getting COBRA Between Jobs
The COBRA Act requires companies with 20 or more employees to allow them to keep their health insurance. Employees must pay the full premium to do so.
Your employer or their administrator should let you keep your old work plan within 45 days. You will have 60 days to enroll or waive your right to COBRA. Learn how to apply.
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.
Gap Health Insurance Options Available for Short-Term Needs
Gap Health Plans, or short-term health insurance, provide temporary coverage for people moving between major medical plans. These plans offer financial protection against unexpected injuries or illnesses. They are helpful when changing jobs or waiting for new insurance to begin.
While they remain affordable and allow for quick activation, they usually exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Gap Health Plans are great for healthy people. They offer a temporary and affordable way to avoid high medical bills. This is especially useful for those without regular health insurance.
Short Term Medical Insurance
New Illnesses & Injury Coverage
The pricing for the plans starts at $85/ mo
Based on age and state availability
Flex Term Health Insurance covers unexpected injuries and new illnesses to protect you from costly medical bills.
Accident Only Insurance with Telehealth
Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.
Pre-existing Conditions Do Not Exclude You From Accident Only Coverage
Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability
The last thing you want is to worry about paying bills when accidents happen. With this plan, you can focus on getting care. CAM helps you and your family with the high cost of healthcare resulting from injury or accidents.
Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Limited Indemnity with Telehealth
Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Core Health Insurance provides a guaranteed acceptance Limited Indemnity Medical plan that covers your basic medical needs. This plan is a good option for people who do not have access to or cannot afford comprehensive health insurance.
This plan helps defray the cost of medical services.
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!
Call us
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.
