Health Insurance
Short-term medical, a bridge when you need one.
Need coverage between jobs? Between Open Enrollments? While waiting for Medicare? Short-term medical can fill the gap with quick, lower-cost protection — but it’s not for everyone. We’ll help you decide honestly.
Free · No obligation · Licensed agents in 40+ states
What you get with Maher Insurance
Independent advice. We work for you — not the carriers.
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Coverage in days, not months
Short-term plans can usually start within a few days of application — no waiting until the next Open Enrollment. Useful if you’ve had a sudden gap in coverage.
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Lower premiums for short windows
Premiums are typically much lower than ACA Marketplace plans because the plans cover fewer benefits and are usually medically underwritten. If you’re healthy and need bridge coverage for a few months, it can be cost-effective.
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Renewable in some states up to 36 months
Federal rules allow short-term plans of up to 12 months with up to 36 months of renewals — but states have their own caps. Some states limit to 3 months, others allow the full 36, and a few prohibit short-term medical entirely. We tell you what’s available where you live.
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Honest about what isn’t covered
Short-term plans typically don’t cover pre-existing conditions, maternity, mental health care, or preventive care to ACA standards. If any of these matter to you, an ACA plan is almost always the better choice — even at a higher premium.
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Related: ACA Marketplace Plans · ACA Alternatives · Short-Term Medical FAQs
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Compare Short-Term PlansFrequently asked questions
Common questions about Short-Term Medical Insurance.
How long can a short-term medical plan last?
Under federal rules, a single short-term plan can last up to 12 months and be renewed for up to 36 months total. However, states set their own limits — some cap initial terms at 3 or 6 months, some don’t allow renewals, and a handful (like California and New York) effectively prohibit short-term medical. We tell you what’s available in your state.
Will my pre-existing conditions be covered?
Almost certainly not. Short-term medical plans are medically underwritten, meaning carriers can deny you coverage or exclude pre-existing conditions from your policy. If you have pre-existing conditions that need ongoing care, short-term is generally the wrong fit — an ACA Marketplace plan is a better option even if the premium is higher.
Is short-term medical the same as ACA health insurance?
No. Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant and don’t cover the 10 essential health benefits (preventive care, maternity, mental health, prescriptions, etc.). They are designed as temporary, gap coverage — not as long-term primary insurance. The federal individual mandate penalty is currently $0, but some states still have state-level penalties for not having ACA-compliant coverage.
When does short-term medical make sense?
Common scenarios: you’re between jobs and waiting for your next employer’s plan to start; you’re aging off a parent’s plan and have a gap before your next coverage; you’re a few months away from turning 65 and Medicare; you missed Open Enrollment and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and need bridge coverage until next November. In each case, short-term works because it’s temporary.
Can I have short-term medical and an ACA plan at the same time?
You generally wouldn’t want to — short-term plans don’t coordinate benefits with ACA plans, and you’d be paying two premiums for overlapping coverage. The exception is when you’re using short-term as bridge coverage that ends right as your ACA plan begins.