Bridging the Gap while You’re making the Leap

Temporary gaps in health insurance coverage are common. You might be between jobs, waiting for your employer’s health coverage to kick in, or working part time or as a temp.

For those entitled to COBRA benefits, the premiums are very high for the same health insurance plans they had while employed. (COBRA may be the only alternative for people with preexisting conditions and ongoing medical treatment.) For uninsured people, two of the top complaints are that health insurance is too expensive and it’s just too hard to get.

Short Term Medical (STM) is a health insurance that addresses these two problems. STM is true major medical health insurance that covers individuals and families for periods of 30 days up to one year in most states (some states have a 6 month limit). The STM plans are not available in MA, NJ, NY, and VT.

Price is a top concern. STM plans offer a real option for so many uninsured individuals who find major medical insurance too expensive and out of reach. Short Term Medical plans are typically 40% less than the cost of traditional major medical insurance, and are even cheaper than first dollar coverages such as HMOs and PPOs.

In addition to price, simplified underwriting makes STM very accessible. If an individual can answer "no" to 5-7 questions, the coverage is guaranteed. And it begins as early as 12:01 a.m. the day after the application is submitted online. If the application is mailed with payment, it begins the day after the U.S. postmark stamp date. No further medical underwriting is required. That means no waiting for the insurance company to review your application and make a decision to cover you or not.

STM plans are not meant to manage ongoing medical conditions. They do not cover pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, or outpatient prescriptions (prescription discount plans are included). But if you are healthy, they provide a very affordable interim health insurance.

With Short Term Medical plans, you need not worry if you have to move to another state. The coverage is effective throughout the United States (not in foreign countries, however). Also, you may choose your own doctors and hospitals. You have no networks to search out. If you still need health insurance at the end of the coverage period, you can re-apply for a new policy.

You can obtain information about plan benefits, get a quote and apply for a Short Term Medical policy from this web site and from some health insurance agents. To get additional information, contact Clear Blue Insurance.