Temporary Medical Insurance

The need for Temporary Medical Insurance

Most people at some point of time, find themselves without medical insurance for one reason or the other. These are situations where they are between coverage plans for a certain time frame. During this period, they are vulnerable to calamities that could prove ruinous. A general trend of thought is that it's only for a short period and that most probably nothing will happen.

But accidents occur ever day, and a single calamitous event can shatter your future. Is it really worth risking everything on a chance? Temporary Medical Insurance is a way to protect yourself during this vulnerable period. In this article, we take a look at what short term insurance covers and what it doesn't.

How Temporary Medical Insurance Works

Temporary medical insurance is different from regular plans, in that it usually resembles catastrophic health insurance, covering accidents whose treatment costs go beyond a certain high deductible. This is all that most people are looking for. As expected, these plans provide coverage only for short specific periods of time. This can range from a few months, to even three years. However, it must be noted that such plans are not subject to regulations that cover most other health plans such as guaranteed renewability.

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In fact, temporary medical insurance plans will not cover an conditions for which you have received treatment for a certain period before insurance begins - usually 36 months. This can be quite a problem since you may not be able to renew your insurance for a condition for which you received treatment under the plan that just ended. Finally, the plans usually don't cover regular checkups and routine care - only illnesses and accidents.

Other conditions such as dental or vision problems are not covered, nor are procedures such as immunizations. Family members must also apply for their own insurance separately.

For all these disadvantages, short term health insurance is cheaper than other plans. The only catch is that you must carefully read the policy to find out what is covered and what isn't.

Summary

Temporary medical insurance is a great way to ensure that you are covered during your most vulnerable periods when you may be without an income and can't retain full fledged insurance. It's a stop gap solution no doubt, but it's not meant to be more and for all it's disadvantages, it serves it's purpose splendidly.

Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO.  If you are searching for health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call  anytime at 800-345-0789.

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