Between Jobs? You're Not Between Coverage.

Short-term health insurance gives you a temporary safety net when life puts you in a gap — between jobs, between plans, or a few months away from Medicare — without locking you into a full-year commitment.

What Short-Term Health Insurance Actually Is

Short-term medical insurance is exactly what it sounds like: temporary health coverage designed to carry you through a transition. It's not a permanent plan, and it's not meant to be. It's a bridge — something to keep you from being completely unprotected while you wait for your next chapter to begin.

 

These plans typically offer coverage for doctor visits, emergency care, and hospitalization. They can often go into effect within days of applying, which makes them one of the fastest coverage options available when you find yourself in a gap.

Who Short-Term Coverage Is Built For

Short-term plans aren't the right fit for everyone, and we'll always tell you that upfront. But for the right situation, they're a practical, affordable option worth knowing about.

 

Short-term health insurance tends to be a good fit if you are:

 

  • Between jobs and waiting for new employer coverage to begin
  • A few months away from turning 65 and transitioning to Medicare
  • Recently off a parent's plan and not yet enrolled elsewhere
  • Waiting for an ACA Open Enrollment period and need something in the meantime
  • Self-employed and looking for lower-cost temporary coverage during a slow season

What Short-Term Plans Don't Cover — and Why That Matters

We believe in giving you the full picture, not just the parts that sound good. Short-term health insurance has real limitations, and understanding them before you enroll is how you avoid surprises later.

 

Here's what to keep in mind:

 

  • Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant, which means they don't meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act
  • Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded from coverage — if you have an ongoing health issue, these plans may not cover treatment related to it
  • Prescription drug coverage is limited or absent on most short-term plans
  • Coverage caps apply — there are limits on how much the plan will pay out, which differs from major medical insurance
  • Mental health and maternity care are generally not included

 

If any of these limitations are a concern for your situation, we'll help you look at other options, including ACA Marketplace plans, that may be a better fit.

How Long Short-Term Coverage Can Last in Texas

In Texas, short-term health plans can provide coverage for up to 364 days per plan period. Some carriers allow renewals, which means you could extend your coverage beyond the initial term — though each renewal period may involve a new application and underwriting review.

 

The right length of coverage depends entirely on your timeline. If you're three months from Medicare eligibility, a short three-month plan may be all you need. If you've just left a job and your new position starts in six months, you'll want a plan that covers that full window. We'll look at your specific situation and help you find a term that actually matches your gap — not one that's longer or more expensive than it needs to be.

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Lower Premiums, Faster Approval — Here's the Trade-Off

Short-term plans typically cost significantly less per month than ACA-compliant major medical plans. That lower premium is one of the main reasons people consider them during a gap. Approval is also faster — in many cases, you can apply and have coverage active within a few business days.

 

The trade-off is coverage depth. Short-term plans are designed for the unexpected — an accident, an illness, an emergency — not for managing ongoing health needs. If you go into a short-term plan healthy and just need a safety net while you wait, they often do exactly what you need them to do.

What to Expect When You Work With Us

  • Can I get short-term health insurance in Texas?

    Yes. Short-term health insurance is available in Texas and can be a practical option for people in coverage gaps. Plans can typically be purchased at any time of year — unlike ACA plans, short-term coverage is not limited to Open Enrollment periods. We can help you compare available options based on your timeline and needs.

  • How long does short-term health insurance last?

    In Texas, short-term plans can last up to 364 days. Some carriers offer renewal options that extend coverage beyond the initial term, though renewals typically require a new application. We'll help you match the plan length to your actual gap so you're not paying for more coverage than you need.

  • Does short-term health insurance cover prescriptions?

    Most short-term plans offer limited or no prescription drug coverage. If you take regular medications, this is an important factor to weigh before enrolling. We'll review the plan details with you so you know exactly what's covered before you commit.

  • Does short-term insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

    Generally, no. Short-term health plans typically exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. This is one of the most significant differences between short-term plans and ACA-compliant major medical insurance. If you have ongoing health needs, we may recommend looking at other coverage options that provide broader protection.

  • Is short-term health insurance right for me if I'm waiting for Medicare?

    It can be. If you're within a year of turning 65 and need something to carry you through until Medicare begins, a short-term plan is often a cost-effective way to bridge that gap. We'll look at your Medicare start date and help you find a plan that covers you right up to enrollment without overlapping or leaving you exposed.

Short-Term Health Insurance — Frequently Asked Questions

We're an independent agency, which means we're not tied to any single carrier. When you ask us about short-term health insurance, we look across the available options in Texas and find the one that fits your timeline, your budget, and your health situation — not the one that pays us the most.

 

We've served around 800 clients across Northeast Texas, and we've had this conversation many times. Sometimes short-term coverage is the right call. Sometimes it isn't, and we'll tell you that too. Our job is to make sure you leave the conversation with a plan that actually works for you — whether that's a short-term plan, an ACA plan, or something else entirely.