Temporary (or short term) health coverage is a medical insurance plan for people who need health insurance for a short time: 30 days to 12 months. See Who needs coverage.

Temporary health coverage pays for major medical expenses including hospital and physician services and other approved services for an illness or accident. Routine doctor visits, well care, and pregnancy are not covered. You can choose your doctors and hospitals.

Short term medical plans have lower premiums than regular long term individual plans. These temporary health insurance plans terminate in 6 -12 months depending on the one you choose. You can buy a policy in one month increments so you can end it if you don't need it as long.

These plans are effective the day after you apply online if you can answer the required questions for coverage and submit a premium payment.

Short term medical plans are available to healthy individuals and families who don't need coverage for pre existing medical conditions. These are conditions or symptoms you had five years before your application date, depending on the plan. See Plan Comparison. Benefits are paid for illnesses and accidents occurring during the term of the short term medical policy.

If you still need insurance at the end of your short term medical plan, you can apply for a new policy. The new policy will not pay for pre existing conditions that happened in the previous period.

All policies have limitations and exclusions. Read about them when you apply online.