What are the pros and cons of short-term coverage? While the federal government has relaxed the rules for short-term health insurance, each state can make its own insurance regulations. In fact, insurance is largely regulated by the state and not the federal government.
| STATE | INITIAL POLICY DURATION MAX | RENEWALS? | MAXIMUM DURATION
(INCLUDING RENEWALS)Â |
NOTESÂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Up to 12 months | Y | 36 months | |
| Alaska | Up to 12 months | Y |  36 months  | |
| Arizona | Up to 12 months | Y | 36 months | |
| Arkansas | Up to 12 months | Y |  36 months  | |
| California | None Available | N/AÂ | Â N/A | |
| Colorado | None Available | N/AÂ | N/A | |
| Connecticut | None Available | N/A | Â N/A | |
| Delaware | None Available | N/AÂ | N/A | |
| District of Columbia | 3 months | NÂ | 3 months | |
| Florida | Up to 12 months | Y |  36 months  | |
| Georgia | Up to 12 months | Y |  36 months | |
| Hawaii | None Available | N/AÂ | N/A | |
| Idaho | 364 days | N | 364 days | |
| Illinois | 180 days | Â NÂ | Â 6 months | An enrollee cannot purchase a new short-term plan from the same issuer within 60 days of the termination of a previous short-term plan |
| Indiana | Up to 364 days |  Y | 36 months  | |
| Iowa | 36 months | Y | * The Iowa Insurance Division proposed extensive new rules for short-term plans that last more than 3 months, but the state’s rules committee rejected them. The Insurance Division is working on a new proposal, but the details aren’t yet public. | |
| Kansas | Up to 365 days | One | 24 months | |
| Kentucky | Up to 12 months | Y |  36 months | |
| Louisiana | Up to 12 months | YÂ | 36 months | |
| Maine | 364 days | Y | 24 months | |
| Maryland | Up to 3 months | |||
| Massachusetts | None Available | Â N/A | N/AÂ | |
| Michigan | 185 days | No | 185 days within any 365 day period | |
| Minnesota | 185 days | No, but can purchase additional plans | Total time enrolled in short-term plans can’t exceed 365 days in any 555-day period. | |
| Mississippi | Up to 12 months |  Y | 36 months  | |
| Missouri | 6 months | Â Y | 36 months | * Plans can be renewed to a total of 36 months as long as each term is six months or less. |
| Montana | 364 days | Y | 36 months  | |
| Nebraska | Up to 12 months | |||
| Nevada | Up to 185 days | Â N | 185 days | |
| New Hampshire | No sell state | N/AÂ | N/A | |
| New Jersey | None Available | N/AÂ Â | N/AÂ Â | |
| New Mexico | None Available | N/AÂ Â | N/AÂ Â | |
| New York | None Available | N/AÂ Â | N/AÂ Â | |
| North Carolina | 364 days |  Y |  36 months  | |
| North Dakota | 6 months | |||
| Ohio | 364 days | N | 52 weeks | |
| Oklahoma | 364 days | Y | 36 months | |
| Oregon | 3 months | Yes, but the 3-month total duration limit includes renewals. | 3 months | |
| Pennsylvania | 364 days | Y | 36 months | |
| Rhode Island | None Available | N/AÂ | N/A | |
| South Carolina | 11 months |  Y | 33 months | |
| South Dakota | Up to 6 months |  N | 6 months | South Dakota statute also requires insurers offering short-term plans to file a statement certifying that the policies are not being sold as a substitute for major medical insurance, and are instead supplemental insurance  |
| Tennessee | Up to 364 days | Y |  36 months |  |
| Texas | Up to 364 days |  Y |  36 months  |  |
| Utah | Up to 363 days | No | 363 days | Â |
| Vermont | None Available | N/AÂ | N/A | Â |
| Virginia | Up to 6 months | N | 6 months | |
| Washington | None Available | Â N/A | N/A | |
| West Virginia | 364 days | Y | 36 months | |
| Wisconsin | 365 days | Y | 18 months | Consumers can start new coverage (with the same insurer) after a 63-day break. |
| Wyoming | 364 days | Y | 36 months |
Yes, short-term health insurance can provide many people with a great value and a good solution when they need affordable coverage quickly. It’s just that these non-ACA plans aren’t regulated the same way that ACA policies are, so people must understand some risks they may take by opting for the temporary protection of short-term health insurance.
Cosmo Insurance Agency is a full-service independent insurance agency based in Hackensack (Bergen County) and Lakewood (Ocean County), New Jersey that offers an all-encompassing range of insurance options for both individuals and businesses. Cosmo keeps its promise to assure an efficient and creative approach to the services we offer. Each of our clients experience a personalized and long-term relationship with us. Our New Jersey based team of health brokers guides our clients in helping them choose the most cost-effective options. By incorporating our knowledge of the insurance guidelines for healthcare, employee benefits, life insurance, self-insurance, dental, disability, and long term care insurance, we keep our clients up-to-date with affordable plans that cover all their specific insurance needs.
