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Short Term Health Insurance in Ohio

Missed Open Enrollment for health insurance plans? Do not panic — an affordable short-term insurance plan can assist you in filling a gap in coverage. We’ll teach you everything you need to know regarding short term health insurance in Ohio before you pick a plan.

What is Short Term Health Insurance?

Short-term health insurance is a form of medical insurance that you can use to fill a healthcare coverage gap. Though you won’t face a tax penalty for not having health insurance as a resident of Ohio, it is not a good idea to go for too long without plans. If you do not have health insurance and you get sick or have an accident, you will be 100% responsible for your medical bills. Health insurance helps pay a portion of your medical costs on your behalf.

Most persons get their health insurance through their employers. Nevertheless, if you are self-employed or do not qualify for insurance through your work, you can enroll in an individual insurance plan. Every year, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) sets a period called “Open Enrollment” when you are allowed to enroll in a health insurance plan for next year. If you miss the Open Enrollment period, you can utilize a short-term health insurance plan to close your coverage gap until it starts again.

Short term health insurance plans are not similar to long-term ACA-compliant plans. When you shop for short term insurance, one of the first things you will typically notice is that these plans are often the most affordable short-term health insurance you can buy. You can get short term coverage for less than $70 per month in most parts of Ohio. This can make a short-term plan particularly appealing if you live on a limited income or are unemployed.

But this affordability comes at a cost. Short term insurance plans do not need to offer the ten essential benefits set by the ACA. This means that short term insurance providers are not mandated to provide coverage for things such as mental health services, addiction treatment, and maternity services. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation established that in 2018, 43% of short-term plans did not provide any form of coverage for mental health services.

And 62% did not cover any kind of treatment for substance abuse disorders, while a whopping 71% provided no coverage for prescription drugs. No short-term coverages were available in 2018 offered coverage for maternity care or services. These are all benefits that insurance providers must cover under long-term health insurance plans.

Short term plan providers are also free to engage in practices that are now illegal thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Under a short-term plan, your health insurance company can:

• Drop you from plan for becoming pregnant
• Deny you coverage due to preexisting condition
• Put a lifetime limit on the amount of money they will pay out for your medical care

The bottom line? Short term health insurance is not right for everyone, and these plans are by no means a long-term health insurance solution. Nevertheless, they can be a useful tool if you need coverage now before Open Enrollment starts again.

When Can You Register for Short Term Health Insurance?

Unlike long-term health insurance, there is no Open Enrollment period for short term health insurance plans. You can enroll for a plan at any point during the year as long as you meet your insurance provider’s standards for coverage.

Selecting the Right Short-Term Plan for You

Still not sure how to obtain health insurance? Begin by collecting a few quotes and fully exploring your insurance options. You can see quotes for short term insurance options by entering your ZIP code right here on Health Insurance Plans. Compare prices, options, and companies from your own home’s comfort — and be sure that you have the right plan for you.

References and Resources

• 10 Essential Benefits
• ACA Compliant Health Insurance Plans