Short-Term Health Insurance in Oregon

Short-term health insurance plans are ideal for plan participants who need coverage for a limited period of time. Most short-term health plans provide coverage for up to six or 12 months. They serve to temporarily provide coverage during transitional periods such as an employment change or life event that requires a coverage modification. In Oregon, several insurance carriers offer short-term health insurance ranging from 30 days to 12 months.

Coverage Inclusions

• Many of the same benefits available to standard health insurance recipients are provided through short-term health insurance plans. Benefits are subject to deductible and coinsurance. Most short-term health insurance policies in Oregon cover expenses related to hospital charges, outpatient and surgical center services, doctor's visits, anesthesia services, X-ray exams, pap and pelvic exams, prescription drugs and more.

  To qualify for short-term health insurance in Oregon, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. For instance, residents must complete a medical questionnaire and answer "no" to the health-related questions on the insurance application. If the applicant has an existing medical condition, he is usually not eligible for coverage.

Coverage Exclusions

• The coverage exclusions in a short-term policy are very similar to a standard policy but usually includes a more comprehensive list of disqualified treatments and procedures. The major exclusion is coverage for preexisting conditions. In Oregon, if you have an existing health condition, the condition is not covered by the short-term policy. Other services that are not included in a short-term policy include cosmetic services or procedures that are not medically necessary, dental or orthodontic services, vision coverage, chiropractic care, experimental procedures, donor transplant services, obesity treatments, alcohol or drug dependency treatments, learning disorders and more.

Insurance Carriers

• Several insurance carriers in Oregon offer short-term health policies. Assurant Health, for example, offers temporary insurance to protect Oregon residents against unexpected illness and accidents while between jobs, waiting for employer benefits or newly independent recipients, such as students or the recently divorced. Health Net Insurance in Oregon offers temporary coverage that can be started as soon as the following day. Secure STM has one-month, six-month and 12-month plans for participants between the ages of 26 and 65 as well as plans for children age 2 to 18.

Considerations

• It is important to note that purchasing short-term insurance could possibly disqualify a plan participant from receiving guaranteed issue individual health insurance through HIPAA or other individual health plans. HIPPA was established to protect a policyholder's insurability in the event of a job loss, reduction in hours or change in employment. If you are eligible for guaranteed issue insurance through HIPPA laws, consult with a benefits advisor prior to purchasing short-term health insurance in Oregon.