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About BlueCross Temporary Health Insurance

Whether you've lost a job, are traveling temporarily or won't have insurance through your employer for a few months, BlueCross temporary health insurance may provide the solution you need. Though the name of the program will vary by state, BlueCross offers temporary insurance plans for up to a year. Contact your local BlueCross to learn about the rates for your situation.

  1. Why Consider Temporary Insurance

    • If you're a relatively healthy person, you may consider forgoing health insurance until you can get another plan through an employer. If you get sick, though, or have an emergency, you could end up with high medical bills. Additionally, unless you maintain continuous coverage, a new health insurance company may not cover any of your pre-existing conditions. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 restricts insurance companies from excluding pre-existing conditions, provided that you had previous coverage.

    BlueCross Through COBRA

    • If you're leaving a job, you have a right to continue with your BlueCross insurance plan through COBRA. You will have to pay the same amount of money that your employer was paying, though, which can be high.

    BlueCross Temporary Insurance

    • BlueCross temporary insurance will cover your doctor visits, hospital and emergency visits, diagnostic testing, physical, occupational and speech therapy and some prescription medicines. You'll also have access to a 24-hour-a-day nurse hotline to ask any questions you may have about your health. You will have to meet a deductible and after that, BlueCross will pay for a certain percentage of these expenses. You are responsible for the rest -- "co-insurance" -- until you reach the specified co-insurance limit, an amount that is set by the state's BlueCross. In New Mexico, for example, the co-insurance limit is $2,000 for an individual and $5,000 for a family.

    Reducing Expenses

    • You can reduce the cost of your insurance by choosing a higher deductible. This can be a smart move for someone who's healthy and doesn't expect to incur high medical costs during the time of temporary insurance coverage. You can also shop around for prescription medications, as the cost at some drug stores may be lower than the amount you would normally have to pay. Compare BlueCross with other types of temporary insurance, as BlueCross may not be the least expensive.

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