Florida temporary health insurance, usually known as short-term health insurance, is coverage purchased for a specified and short length of time. It can cover anywhere from one month to one year.
Why would a person want short-term insurance?
Often it is because their current coverage is expiring or up for renewal, but they expect to be covered by another plan in the near future:
Of course there are other circumstances as well that may make short-term coverage desirable. For example, a person may have no coverage, may not wish to be without insurance, but may lack the money to pay for a traditional policy, or for a full year’s policy.
And they may have a reasonable expectation that their financial situation is going to improve markedly some time in the next year or less. Short-term coverage, generally less expensive than traditional, will keep them from being uncovered in case of a serious medical event.
On the plus side, with short-term health insurance you are permitted to choose any doctor, hospital, or diagnostic center you want.
In addition, the insurance covers most costs once your deductible has been met, excepting for your co-insurance costs.
Finally, once you have met your deductible and co-pay, if you are hospitalized for a covered illness or injury, your expenses are covered including hospital, medical, surgical, anesthesia, and more. Out-of-hospital care may be covered as well.
On the downside, there are those co-insurance costs, and the deductible may be high, depending on the terms you select at the time you take out the policy. Naturally, the higher the deductible of an insurance plan is, the lower the premiums and vice-versa.
Also, this insurance will not cover regular doctor visits, flu shots, and such. The insurance has a definite expiration date of one year or less.
Always read the policy carefully to see what it covers before you sign on the line.
Qualifying for a short-term medical insurance plan is generally easier than qualifying for a traditional plan. You will probably be asked only a few questions, which may include questions about any current insurance coverage, a current pregnancy, whether you’ve been denied coverage recently, and whether you’ve received treatment for a number of medical conditions.
Coverage may begin as quickly as 24 hours after you sign your application. There is no protracted underwriting process. You do not have to provide a complete health history nor have your history subject to extensive review by the company.
If any of your answers to the questions raise a red flag, there may be a delay while the company acquires and examines your medical records. This can cause a wait of as much as a few weeks before they decide whether to give you insurance coverage.
Major concerns include cancer, HIV, substance abuse, heart problems, strokes, and diabetes, though these are not an automatic disqualification in every case. But with nothing in the application to concern them, you may well be covered the day after you apply.
Short-term health insurance is not a substitute for a traditional policy. But if you’re in an insurance gap, and have no coverage, it can well provide the peace of mind you need until you get a full Florida Health Insurance policy.