Short-Term Health Insurance in California
- In California, short-term health insurance applicants may be turned down for coverage if certain underwriting criteria are not met. Eligibility requirements vary by insurance carrier. All applicants must be a permanent and legal resident of California. Applicants must be between 18 and 64 years of age and generally healthy. Individuals who have been turned down for a health insurance policy are usually ineligible for short-term health insurance. Further, women who are pregnant or individuals who need insurance to travel outside the country are ineligible for short-term coverage.
- There are several benefits to obtaining short-term health insurance in California. Unlike permanent insurance plans, there are usually no provider requirements so if an injury or illness occurs, participants have the freedom to seek medical care wherever they choose. Also, coverage can begin as soon as the following day without a lengthy application process or waiting periods. Another major advantage of short-term health insurance is flexibility. Residents have the power to choose the length of the policy, deductible amounts and the type of plan most suitable for their situation.
- In California, if an applicant has a preexisting condition or suffers from a chronic health disorder, the condition is not covered by the policy. Short-term health insurance has strict underwriting criteria related to current health. Applicants are usually very healthy because the insurance terms are so short.
Another drawback to short-term health insurance is that HIPAA laws do not extend to this type of coverage. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is designed to protect an individual's insurability when a life event such as a birth of a child, marriage or change in employment occurs. California residents who purchase a short-term health insurance policy are ineligible for HIPPA or guaranteed-issue plans. - Several insurance providers offer short-term health insurance in California. Anthem Blue Cross has short-term coverage ranging from 30 to 185 days. Policyholders participate in a short-term PPO plan. The plan can begin or end on any day of the month and is non-renewable. Assurant Health offers short-term health insurance that temporarily protects policyholders from an accident or sudden illness. Individual coverage starts at $4.33 per day, while family coverage starts at $8.66 per day. Co-insurance and plan deductibles apply. Assurant medical plans cover doctor's visits, hospital benefits, prescription drugs, and ambulance and transplant benefits.
