Buying Temporary Health Insurance

The day arrives that you lose your employment and, as a consequence, you lose your health insurance. Fortunately, short term health insurance is something which can keep you going until you are able to [get|secure|find} a new job. A short term health insurance policy will cover your health care needs from the date on which you lose your employment until you are eligible for benefits under a new employer's scheme.

But where should you begin to look for a short term health insurance policy?  Like many people today, your first stop will possibly be one of the major internet search engines and these will provide you with a laundry list of directories. These directories each give you a list of companies which offer short term health insurance and even a hendful which will actually explain precisely what it is. Knowing exactly what short term health insurance is and, equally important, what it is not will assist you in shopping for the correct policy and stop you from getting scammed.

First of all, each state has its own brand of short term health insurance policy to assist you in holding onto the health insurance from your previous employer. For example, in Minnesota the plan is known as a Cobra Plan and will cover until you have a new job. While we are on the subject, state law also requires an employer to notify you of your eligibility for Cobra coverage.

Commercial short term health insurance plans usually last for from one month to a year, although many insurers restrict their plans to six months, and will provide many of the benefits which are provided on their long term plans. The greatest difference you will find is that the plan is not renewable and if you wish to hang on to your coverage you will have to arrange a further new policy. Bear in mind that this sort of policy is only intended for short term use and not for long term use.

A few things which will most likely not be covered are wellness checks and preventative care and short term health plans will also not usually provide cover for dental or optical care. Additionally, they are also normally quite strict on denying coverage for pre existing conditions. You can get coverage extended to your your dependents. You will find also that the majority of plans will range in price from about $25 to $100 a month.

Bearing this in mind, you can start to trawl through your search results and examine the lists of insurers to locate one which will meet your needs.

Another very good place to turn for cover is to your current car or home insurance provider as it is likely that they will also carry a health insurance policy which you can get. If you are buying the policy through your own insurer, there might well be a discount available to you for having more than one policy with them.

Lastly, remember that your local phone book may also list several places for you to buy short term health insurance coverage in your area.