We need Short Term Health Insurance -- 95 days or so...

[Marcster]

We have health insurance through my wife's work. Basically, we're going to have 95 days or so where we will no longer be insured through her old job but are not yet eligible to join a plan at the new job.

 

Her old employer is not large enough to offer a COBRA plan. Hence the reason for this thread.

 

Thanks in advance.

[chinacat]

Does the insurance carrier offer an individual policy for people in cases like this? If not try contacting an insurance broker and see if they can find you one. I live in Ohio but was able to get an indivdual policy until my new one kicked in....thru a broker.

[krissy904]

I am pretty sure that Fortis has short term health insurance. To the best of my memory, it doesn't really cover anything and has a high deductible, but it will ensure that you proof of credible coverage from the time it starts until the time you are eligible for coverage through your (or spouses) employer. This is important because if you have a lapse in coverage of 90 days or more, they will still insure you, but they will deem almost anything as pre-exisisting, which I think they do for 18 months. You really should check into your state rules and regulation to make certain that you don't get caught up that situation. And how, you may ask, might I be aware of this information...because I had a 92 day lapse in insurance a couple of years ago and they absolutely were serious about the pre-existing status. Good Luck Kristyn

[USC Becca]

I got short-term insurance once through Blue Cross. I found it through ehealthinsurance.com. I put in my info and it showed me a chart comparing different companies offerings and costs that I was eligible for. Hope this helps :)

[freesia39]

i've also bought short term insurance from blue cross in the past, and it worked out fine. i think i just went to bluecross.com and just looked for their short term or gap insurance coverage.

[Gloey]

I am pretty sure that Fortis has short term health insurance. To the best of my memory, it doesn't really cover anything and has a high deductible, but it will ensure that you proof of credible coverage from the time it starts until the time you are eligible for coverage through your (or spouses) employer. This is important because if you have a lapse in coverage of 90 days or more, they will still insure you, but they will deem almost anything as pre-exisisting, which I think they do for 18 months. You really should check into your state rules and regulation to make certain that you don't get caught up that situation. And how, you may ask, might I be aware of this information...because I had a 92 day lapse in insurance a couple of years ago and they absolutely were serious about the pre-existing status. Good Luck Kristyn

I was going to recommend Fortis too. Also, B/C B/S had individual policies, check with them but I bet the premiums are high.

[Marcster]

Thanks everyone! My wife and I just applied for health insurance through United Healthcare which is underwritten by Golden Rule. We looked around at the sites you guys suggested. Ehealthinsurance.com is the best in terms of being able to compare one offer vs. another.

 

The temporary coverage should be $102.76/month for $1000 deductible with a 20% copay. Not the best coverage, but just something to "bridge the gap"...

 

We just both recently had eye exams, and we can wait for dental cleanings till after the new employer's health insurance is in place, so we didn't sign up for any of that stuff.