
Short term health insurance is designed to provide temporary coverage for individuals who are between jobs, waiting for their employer-sponsored coverage to kick in, or experiencing a gap in coverage.
Typically, short term health insurance plans last between 30 days to 12 months, depending on the state and the insurance company.
Some short term health insurance plans may cover medical expenses related to surgery, but this is not always the case.
For example, a plan may cover emergency room visits, but not follow-up care or hospital stays.
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What Is Short Term Health Insurance?
Short term health insurance is a type of temporary health insurance that provides coverage for a limited time, typically ranging from 30 days to 12 months.
It's designed to bridge the gap between losing job-based coverage and getting a new job with benefits or enrolling in a major medical plan. Short term health insurance can be purchased for a specific period, usually a few months, to cover unexpected medical expenses.

The coverage is usually limited to a certain dollar amount, such as $100,000, and may not include essential health benefits like maternity care or prescription medication. Short term health insurance plans are often less expensive than major medical plans but may have higher deductibles and copays.
The policies can be customized to fit individual needs, with options to add or remove coverage for specific services like dental or vision care. Some short term health insurance plans may also offer a "catastrophic" option with lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.
Does Short Term Health Insurance Cover Surgery?
Short-term health insurance policies are designed to cover at least some of the cost of unexpected medical events that are not linked to a pre-existing condition.
Short-term plans will generally provide coverage for surgeries, as well as various outpatient services, lab work, and imaging.
Inpatient care, including surgeries, is often covered by short-term plans, but it's essential to note that these plans can be designed to exclude or include certain services.
Emergency services, including surgeries, are typically covered by short-term plans, but pre-existing conditions are usually not covered.
Most short-term plans will cover inpatient and emergency care, including surgeries, but it's crucial to review the policy's terms and conditions to understand what's covered and what's not.
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Understanding Short Term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance plans cover various inpatient and outpatient services, including doctor visits, surgery, and emergency room visits. They may limit coverage for preventive services and prescription drug medications.
These plans typically cover visits to urgent care facilities and hospital admissions. Laboratory and diagnostic services, such as blood work and x-rays, are often included. Some short-term plans also offer telehealth coverage for virtual visits with healthcare providers.
It's essential to compare different short-term plans, as coverage can vary significantly from one plan to another. This will help you make an informed decision before purchasing a plan.
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What Insurance Covers
Short-term health insurance plans cover various inpatient and outpatient services, including doctor visits, surgery, and laboratory and diagnostic services like blood work and x-rays.
These plans generally cover visits to the emergency room and urgent care facilities, as well as some level of telehealth coverage for virtual visits with healthcare providers.
Inpatient prescription drugs are sometimes included in short-term plans, but it's less common for them to cover prescriptions picked up at the pharmacy.

Short-term plans provide coverage for medically necessary inpatient and outpatient medical care, including emergency services, but often exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions and impose limits on certain services.
Most short-term plans allow you to use any U.S. licensed provider and some plans include copays for doctor office visits or urgent care.
These plans may also cover at least some of the cost of unexpected medical events, such as surgeries and lab work.
However, short-term plans tend to have more benefit limitations than ACA-compliant plans and often exclude categories of coverage like maternity care, mental health care, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
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How Long to Get Coverage?
Getting short-term coverage is relatively quick and easy. You can secure immediate individual and family coverage with plans that can kick in as early as the next day.
The application process is typically simple, with just a handful of yes/no questions about medical history. If you answer "no" to all the questions, you'll generally be accepted for coverage.

You'll need to make a single payment for the whole coverage period if you know how many days you'll need to be covered. This can be a convenient option if you're unsure about your future needs.
Short-term healthcare plans rely on post-claims underwriting, which means the insurer will review your medical history if you file a claim. This ensures that any pre-existing conditions are accounted for.
Cost and Coverage
Short-term health insurance plans are designed to cover unexpected medical events, but they generally don't cover pre-existing conditions or pregnancy.
Most short-term plans will provide some coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical care, including emergency services.
Short-term plans tend to have more benefit limitations than ACA-compliant plans, and gaps in coverage for essential health benefits like maternity care, mental health care, and preventive care.
You'll usually find blanket exclusions for pre-existing conditions in short-term plans, and limits on the amount the plan will pay for certain services.
Broaden your view: Does Short Term Health Insurance Cover Pre Existing Conditions

Inpatient prescription drugs may be covered, but it's less common for short-term plans to cover prescriptions you'd pick up at the pharmacy.
Most temporary health plans allow you to use any U.S. licensed provider, and some plans include copays for doctor office visits or urgent care.
The cost of short-term health insurance is often more affordable because it doesn't provide benefits for pre-existing conditions or pregnancy, and your out-of-pocket limit is predictable.
Short-term plans can be a good option for healthy people who want to protect themselves from high medical costs, but they're not a substitute for comprehensive health insurance.
Sources
- https://www.upmchealthplan.com/individuals/health-care-reform/short-term-plans
- https://www.healthinsurance.org/short-term-health-insurance/
- https://www.smartandsimple.com/individual-plans/short-term-health-insurance/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-much-of-my-surgery-will-my-health-insurance-cover-4010266
- https://yourinsurancegal.com/frequently-asked-questions-short-term-medical-insurance/
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