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How To Get Health Insurance Between Jobs

Having health insurance coverage is important when you’re in between jobs. It helps you avoid the high costs of unexpected injuries or illnesses.

The three ways to cover an insurance gap

  1. COBRA Insurance Option ($$$$)
    Covers Pre-existing Conditions
    Use COBRA to continue your most recent employer health plan for a limited time.
  2. Affordable Care Act Plan ($$$)
    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.
  3. Short-Term Medical Plan ($$)
    New Accident & Illness Coverage Only
    Short-term medical plans provide an affordable option if COBRA is too expensive or unavailable.

View the available medical plans in your state, with the
flexibility to apply & enroll online

Short-Term Health Plans

Temporary major medical coverage for new illnesses and emergencies during a gap between health plans.

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 Plans

Term Health Insurance offers cost-effective, temporary coverage, ideal for bridging gaps between jobs and health plans.

Types Of Term Health Insurance

Short-term health plans are available for one month to one year.  You may cancel at any time.

Short-Term Medical Plan

Provides coverage for new illnesses or unexpected accidents. Great for those in good health.

Accident Only Coverage

An affordable option to cover new injuries or accidents that arise. Pre-existing conditions do not exclude you from enrolling in Accident Only medical insurance.

View Short-Term Medical Plans

Are short-term health insurance plans a good investment?

Short-term health insurance plans can be a worthwhile option for bridging coverage gaps without the higher costs of traditional plans. They are particularly useful for healthy individuals needing temporary coverage. However, consider the limited benefits and potential exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Ready to review costs? The pricing is based on your age and state of residency. Register now to 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.

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.

Get Started: Shop for Federally Qualified Health Plan

Employer COBRA

COBRA insurance covers pre-existing conditions, including prescription drug benefits, retroactively to the date you lost your employer plan.

Approx. $500 – 800/mo

Getting COBRA Between Jobs

The COBRA Act compels companies with 20 or more workers to allow workers to continue on the employer health plan by paying the entire premium.

Your employer or their third-party administrator should offer you the option to continue your previous work plan within 45 days. You will have 60 days to enroll or waive your right to COBRA.

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.

Short Term Medical Insurance

New Illnesses & Injury Coverage

Flex term short term medical insurance

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.

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

Accident Only Insurance with Telehealth

comprehensive accidental medical insurance logo
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.

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

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

core dental insurance logo

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

eyemed vision lnsurance

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 logo

MDLive 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 transitioning between jobs, consider COBRA for continuous coverage from your previous employer’s plan, explore short-term health insurance for a temporary solution, or investigate marketplace options for comprehensive 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 retain your health insurance through COBRA, sign up for a plan through the health insurance marketplace, or 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 cost reflects the limited coverage and shorter policy term, making it a cost-effective solution for coverage gaps between jobs.

Why is short-term health insurance less expensive?

Short-term health insurance costs less because it offers limited coverage over a short period and generally excludes pre-existing conditions. This makes it an affordable option for healthy individuals needing temporary insurance.

How can I address a gap in my health insurance coverage?

To address a gap in health insurance coverage, consider short-term health insurance for immediate, temporary coverage, explore marketplace plans for longer-term needs, or use COBRA to extend your previous employer’s coverage. 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 due to a job loss, divorce, loss of eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP
  • Those covered in an Insurance Marketplace (state or federal exchange) and having a change in household income or status that affects eligibility for tax credits or cost-sharing reductions

Contact Us

877-262-7241

We can help you find an affordable health insurance plan before your next major medical health coverage begins.

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Recognition From HealthCare.gov

Circle of champions 2023

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Short-Term Health Insurance Options During Job Transition

Remain Insured

Accident Only plans start at $44*
with coverage starting tomorrow!

Call us
877-262-7241

Get A Quote, Enroll Online
View Plans

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.