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Short Term Medical Insurance in Minnesota

Short term medical insurance helps fill the gaps when you don't have access to group health insurance coverage, like when you're between jobs or a recent college graduate. It lasts for six months to one year, and usually has limited underwriting and limited benefits. Minnesota's Insurance Commissioner's Office, housed within the Department of Commerce, has approved several plans to be sold to its residents.

  1. Choosing a Plan

    • Short term health care plans are individual plans. You should get quotes from a few different companies, and a couple of plans from each company. Most plans will not cover pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy, and many only cover major medical expenses. They do not cover preventative, routine care. Compare co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles, and note what the out-of-pocket maximum is and what the maximum benefit is for the plan. The premium is important too, but understanding the plan benefits can help determine whether the plan you're considering is a good value.

    Applying for Coverage

    • Once you've decided on a plan, fill out the application carefully and completely. You should have your prescription information handy, as well as the name and contact information of any doctors that have treated you. The company to whom you apply should provide you with an outline of coverage that you can review while your application is being processed. Once you have your policy, you have up to ten days to review it and return it for a full refund.

    Warnings

    • Minnesota's Office of the Attorney General has a number of warnings for those considering short term health insurance. One is that you shouldn't purchase back-to-back short term policies, as this may endanger your ability to have preexisting conditions covered. Another warning is that plans not only exclude preexisting conditions that have been diagnosed; it may also exclude any condition for which you had symptoms before you started your plan. Plans are unlikely to cover mental health, and may have a fairly limited network. The Attorney General's Office recommends looking closely at your actual policy in addition to the marketing materials provided.

    Alternatives

    • If you have preexisting conditions, you may want to consider other health insurance options. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, mandates that employers allow employees to continue their health coverage for up to 18 months as long as they pay the premiums. Once COBRA is exhausted, HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guarantees that you can enroll into a health plan. These plans can be expensive, but may be better for those with serious health conditions than a short term medical plan.

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