Short-term health insurance is a type of health coverage designed to fill temporary gaps — typically when you’re between jobs, waiting for employer coverage to start, or missed Open Enrollment. Plans can last from 1 month to up to 3 years (depending on state rules), and generally have significantly lower premiums than ACA-compliant plans.
The trade-offs are significant and worth understanding before enrolling:
Short-term health insurance may be appropriate as a true bridge for a very short period — but compare carefully to a Marketplace plan, especially if you qualify for subsidies.
No. Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant. They can reject your application based on health history, exclude pre-existing conditions, and limit benefits in ways ACA plans cannot. They also don’t qualify for subsidies. For most people, even a Bronze Marketplace plan — especially with subsidies — offers substantially better protection.
Short-term plans are regulated by states, and some states have banned or heavily restricted them (California, Massachusetts, New York, and others don’t allow them at all). In states where they are allowed, the federal maximum duration is up to 3 years (though this may be subject to change). Check your state’s rules before purchasing.
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