Buying Individual Health Insurance

With the state of the economy over the last few years many people have suffered the problem of losing their job and found it taking some time to get back into work. This can be a worrying time and all the more so if health care was provided by your employer. However, when you are between jobs or are in a position where you are waiting for permanent health insurance to start there are options available and temporary health insurance is one of these.

Temporary health insurance is essentially short term medical cover that is put in place for a set period of time. Most plans are available from around one to six months and are intended to cover an insurance gap which will only last a short time. If you find yourself needing cover for a longer period they can be renewed when they run out and this can typically be done up to a period of around 36 moths. However short term health insurance is not intended as an alternative to permanent coverage and should typically only be used as a solution when you find yourself in a situation where you are not covered by a permanent healthcare policy.

There are many people that can benefit by using temporary health insurance. As indicated above those that lose a job which had health insurance benefits can use it to provide themselves with cover during their search for a new job. However it can be used even by those that are simply changing jobs. When joining a new company it can take a few months before you become eligible for the company health plan and short term insurance can cover you during this period. Others that can typically benefit from short term health insurance can include college graduates in the job market for the first time after graduating or children losing dependent status on their parents insurance before they have a job or enter full time study at college or university.

Temporary health insurance is typically available to healthy individuals and families and generally provides the freedom to visit any doctor or hospital needed for health care. However it is worth checking the details of the plan as many policies require prior approval by the insurer before being hospitalized for non-emergency treatment. Short term plans will also not cover the expenses for pre-existing health conditions and this includes any medical problems that have been suffered in the 36 months prior to the start of the insurance.

Generally the cost of temporary health insurance is not overly expensive as those eligible for it are not typically considered a high risk group by insurers. Payment can be made up-front for the full amount or on a monthly basis. On many policies paying the cost up-front will include a discount, although this varies from plan to plan. Many of the leading insurance companies provide short term health insurance plans and some to look to include CIGNA, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.

If you find yourself in a situation where your permanent health insurance will lapse for a short period of time then temporary health insurance is an option to consider. It can ensure that should you or someone in your family suffer health problems you will not be left without adequate insurance and will be covered for much of the cost of medical care.