| Short-term health insurance plans allow people to | | | | These types of illnesses that were made known |
| have health insurance for a limited amount of time. It | | | | before a plan was purchased are known as |
| is the type of health insurance that most benefits | | | | pre-existing conditions. The exact definition of |
| those who are between jobs or who find | | | | "pre-existing" tends to vary from state to state, but |
| themselves waiting for another form of insurance to | | | | it is most commonly assumed that anything that can |
| start. For example, college graduates and those who | | | | be traced back to the past three years or so will be |
| have recently been removed from a particular job | | | | excluded from the plan's coverage. |
| are most likely to use a form of short-term health | | | | While applying for short-term insurance, it is vitally |
| insurance. This type of coverage is available for both | | | | important that applicants are open and honest about |
| individuals and families. While the cost of short-term | | | | any conditions they believe fall under the category of |
| coverage tends to be much less than long-term | | | | pre-existing. If they are not open about something, it |
| plans, many people are still not quite sure as to how | | | | may come back to haunt them. They may be forced |
| the whole process works. If one is going to purchase | | | | to pay out-of-pocket expenses for a particular |
| a plan, it is wise to be aware of what to expect. | | | | medical procedure. Short-term health insurance |
| Most short-term health insurance policies generally | | | | companies are usually quite adamant about not |
| give the people they cover the opportunity to visit | | | | covering any pre-existing medical conditions. |
| any doctor or specialist they like. However, most | | | | While there are several short-term policies which are |
| plans do require pre-certification, which is an obligation | | | | now renewable for up to 36 months, many insurers |
| with which people should become familiar. The good | | | | will refuse to issue customers a second or third policy |
| news for those who are insured via a short-term plan | | | | if they happened to file any claims under their first |
| is that several procedures are covered. Some of | | | | policy. On the other hand, some insurance companies |
| these include surgery, hospital care, emergency | | | | will offer another policy, but they will not cover any |
| services, and prescription drugs. The not-so-great | | | | illnesses or injuries that occurred during the first |
| news is that there are very often a number of | | | | policy. Most companies that have solid reputations will |
| restrictions and conditions which limit what is covered | | | | offer a 30-day guarantee period of satisfaction. They |
| by a short-term insurance policy. | | | | will allow the customer to get back 100% of their |
| Because of its low cost, short-term health insurance | | | | premium. Of course, they will not honor this |
| does not usually cover routine preventative care. For | | | | agreement if a customer has filed any claims during |
| example, things that most likely will not be covered | | | | this period. |
| are physical exams, immunizations, and PAP tests. | | | | Short-term health insurance is important to people |
| Those who have chosen to purchase this type of | | | | who want to have medical coverage while they are |
| insurance must remember that it only covers medical | | | | temporarily out of work or without insurance for one |
| situations which occur after the policy is bought. In | | | | reason or another. Most plans are somewhat flexible, |
| other words, short-term health insurance can never | | | | and all of them are usually affordable. The application |
| be used to cover something that happened or was | | | | process and the procedures covered are relatively |
| known about before the plan was purchased. It is | | | | easy to understand, thus making short-term health |
| used solely for unforeseen accidents or illnesses that | | | | insurance a rather hassle-free acquisition. |
| affect customers. | | | | |