Indiana Short Term Health Insurance
A Short Term Medical Plan is temporary medical insurance that provides comprehensive protection against unexpected health care health care expenses. Policies can be purchases from 30 days up to 1 year. The application process is simple with only a few qualifying questions to answer and coverage can begin as early as the next day.
Short Term Medical Insurance is perfect for individuals who are:
- Recent college graduates
- Between jobs or laid off
- Waiting for employer-sponsored coverage
- Losing dependent status
- Looking for a lower-cost alternative to COBRA
- Recently retired and not eligible for Medicare
- On strike
Overview
The Assurant short-term medical plan allows you to choose your doctors and hospitals and does not limit you to in-network providers. It pays for all covered medical, hospital, and surgical expenses once your deductible and coinsurance amounts have been met. This includes physician services, prescriptions, X-ray, laboratory services, inpatient hospital stays, inpatient and outpatient hospital surgeries, anesthesia services, skilled nursing facility care and rehabilitation up to a lifetime maximum of $2 million.
How it Works
First, you pay your deductible, next Assurant Health pays 100%, 80%, 50% of the next $10,000 (this is called your coinsurance). Once your deductible and coinsurance are paid, Assurant Health pays 100% up to the policy limits of $2 Million. Plus, if you choose a $500 or greater deductible, only one deductible needs to be satisfied for your entire family.
Assurant Short Term Plan Options
| Benefit | 6 Month Plan | 12 Month Plan |
HSA Saver Limited Benefit 6 Months |
HSA Saver Limited Benefit 12 months |
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| Length of Coverage | 30 - 185 days Up to 6 monthly payments |
186 - 365 days Up to 12 months payments |
30- 185 days Up to 6 monthly payments |
186- 365 days Up to 12 monthly payments |
| Deductible Amount you pay toward covered expenses before the plan pays benefits |
$250*, $500, $1,000, $2,500 Only one deductible needs to be satisfied for the plan. *For the $250 deductible only- each family member needs to satisfy the deductible (up to a maximum of three deductibles) |
$1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $7,500 Only one deductible needs to be satisfied for the entire family. |
$1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $7,500 Only one deductible needs to be satisfied for the entire family. |
$2,500, $5,000, $7,500 Only one deductible needs to be satisfied for the entire family. |
| Rate of Payment (Coinsurance) Percentage of covered expenses we pay after the deductible |
100%,
80%, 50% The 100%, 80%, and 50% option are available with the $250, $500, $1,000, $2,5000, and $3,500 deductible options. |
80%, 50% The 80% and 50% are both available with the $2,500 and $5,000 deductible options. |
80%, 50% The 80% and 50% are both available with the $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $7,500 deductible options. |
80%, 50% The 80% and 50% are both available with the $2,500, $5,000, and $7,500 deductible options. |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum The amount of money an individual pays toward covered hospital and medical expenses. Does not include deductible |
For the 100% option, the out-of-pocket is $0.
For the 80% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $2,000 for one individual. ($4,000 for 2 individuals, and $5,000 for 3 or more individuals) For the 50% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $5,000 for one individual. (It is also $5,000 for 2 or more individuals) |
For the 80% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $2,000 for one individual. ($4,000 for 2 individuals, and $5,000 for 3 or more individuals)
For the 50% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $5,000 for one individual. (It is also $5,000 for 2 or more individuals |
For the 80% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $4,000 for one individual. ($8,000 for 2 individuals, and $12,000 for 3 or more individuals)
For the 50% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $10,000 for one individual. ($20,000 for 2 or more individuals |
For the 80% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $6,000 for one individual. ($12,000 for 2 individuals, and $18,000 for 3 or more individuals)
For the 50% option, the out-of-pocket maximum is $15,000 for one individual. ($30,000 for 2 or more individuals |
| Prescription Drugs | Covered | Covered | Not Covered | Not Covered |
| Lifetime Benefit Maximum The total maximum amount the plan pays |
$2 million | $2 million | $100,000 Outpatient servcies limited to $2,000 |
$100,000 Outpatient servcies limited to $2,000 |
- Rate of payment (coinsurance) options: 100%, 80/20, 50/50. The 100% rate of payment option is only available for 6-month plans with deductibles of $500 or greater.
- Lifetime Maximum Benefit is the total benefit that can be paid out over the lifetime of the policy (effective dates of the policy). You may choose to increase your Lifetime Maximum Benefit by upgrading your policy at the time of enrollment/purchase.
Prescription Coverage
Prescriptions are covered under Assurant short term medical plans, but there is no copayments. When you present your STM prescription card, which is part of your ID card, at a participating pharmacy, you will receive a negotiated disounted and then will be subject to deductible and coinsurance amounts. Below are some real-life savings examples of some commonly used precriptions with the Short Term Medical prescription drug card.
Short Term Medical Prescription Drug Card Discounts
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Drug |
Strength and quantity |
Retail price |
Price using card |
Percentage savings |
| Lipitor | 10 mg, qty 30 | $96.99 | $69.99 | 28% |
| Levaquin | 500 mg, qty 10 | $145.99 | $98.79 | 32% |
| Nexium | 20 mg, qty 30 | $179.99 | $125.89 | 30% |
| Singulair | 10 mg, qty 30 | $124.99 | $88.24 | 29% |
| Zyrtec | 10 mg, qty 30 | $83.99 | $56.59 | 33% |
Retail pricing based on Walgreens Pharmacies in Milwaukee and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, June 6, 2007. Pricing examples are for illustration purposes only. Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary by region. Payment must be made at the time of service to receive discount. Prescription drug savings do not guarantee benefits under your STM plan.
Payment Options
Most short term health insurance programs will make the applicant pay the entire amount of the premium for the policy up front. With Assurant health insurance, you get the option of either paying for the entire amount up front, or making a monthly payment.
Single payment option: This is ideal if you know the exact number of days that your coverage is needed. The minimum number of days you may apply for is 30 days, the maximum is 365 days. No refunds are available after the 10-day free look period.
Monthly payment option: If you are unsure of how long you will need coverage, this option would be the best for you. The "pay as you go" option gives you the flexibility to continue coverage for as long as it is needed, or simply stop payments and discontinue the plan once your temporary health insurance need ends.
You can pay with either Visa or Master Card, automatic charge to a checking account, or by check.
If you pay your initial 35 day premium by MasterCard or VISA, each additional 30 days of coverage will be automatically charged to your account for up to 365 days. If your temporary medical insurance need ends prior to this date, simply call 1-800-800-5453 and the automatic account charge will be stopped. Seven day advance notice is required to ensure future account charges are stopped.
If you choose to pay monthly by the automatic charge to checking account, you must submit the first 35 day premium via check along with a separate voided check. All subsequent monthly payments will be automatically debited from your checking account for up to 365 days. If your short term health insurance needs end prior to this date, simply call 1-800-800-5453 and we will stop the automatic account charge. Seven day advance notice is required to ensure future account charges are stopped.
If you pay your initial 35 day premium by check, you will be sent a sheet of payment coupons shortly after you receive your policy. Each coupon is for an additional 30 days of coverage.
Purchasing an Additional Plan
Assurant short term health insurance plans are not renewable. However, if your temporary health insurance need continues beyond your policy period, you may apply for a new plan under the following circumstances:
- No claims were submitted while covered under a previous short term medical insurance plan
- There has been no significant change to your health
- Any previous or current health condition or symptom will be considered a pre-existing medical condition that will not be covered under a new plan.
Blue Short Term PPO is an affordable short-term health insurance plan from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Indiana that provides individuals and families essential protection against unexpected accidents or illness. This plan utilizes the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network of doctors and hospitals and provides coverage from 30 - 180 days.
Blue Short Term PPO is your temporary health insurance solution if you are:
- Experiencing a gap in employer coverage or can't afford COBRA.
- Waiting for employer coverage to begin.
- Between jobs or laid off
- Losing dependent status
- Looking for a lower-cost alternative to COBRA
- Recently graduated and still seeking your dream job.
- Age 64 and about to retire, but not yet eligible for Medicare.
Blue Short Term PPO covers many of the most costly health care services, including:
- Office visits
- Prescription drugs - up to $500
- Inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and hospital services.
- Diagnostic services (lab and x-ray)
- Emergency room and urgent care
- Ambulance - up to $2,500
- Home healthcare - up to 40 visits
- Hospice
- Human organ and tissue transplant - up to $1,000,000
- Durable medical equipment - plans pays 50% of covered services after deductible
Once your deductible has been reached, Blue Short Term plan pays 80% of covered services. You pay the remaining 20% until your total out-of-pocket expense for covered services is met. Once that limit is reached, the plan pays 100% for most covered services, up to the $1 million maximum.
Design your own plan
With Blue Short Term plan, you get choices. Decide for yourself what fits your needs. When do you want your coverage to start? How long will you need coverage - one, two, three, four, five, or six months? Select the deductible that's right for you, from as low as $250 all the way up to $2,500. And with that choice, you can influence what your coverage will cost.
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| Plan Feature | Benefit | |
| Length of Coverage | 30 - 180 days | |
| Deductible |
$250 single / $500 family $500 single / $1,000 family $1,000 single / $2,000 family $2,500 single / $5,000 family |
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| Out-of-Pocket Limit (maximum) |
$5,250 single / $10,500 family $5,500 single / $11,000 family $6,000 single / $12,000 family $7,500 single / $15,000 family |
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| Covered Services Coinsurance | You pay 20% | |
| Prescription Drugs | You pay 20%1 | |
| Office Visits | You pay 20% | |
| Lifetime Maximum | $1 million | |
| 1Separate $250 Rx deductible for prescription drugs. This does not go toward the out-of-pocket maximum. $500 maximum per member per benefit period. | ||
Eligibility
You can apply for coverage for yourself or with your family. You must be a resident of the state in which you are applying, a legal resident of the U.S. and not currently pregnant. Family health coverage includes you, your spouse or domestic partner and any dependent children. Children are covered to the end of the month in which they turn 25.
The following dependent children are eligible for coverage: (no minimum support required from a parent or guardian)
- Unmarried or married son or daughter
- Unmarried stepchildren
- Unmarried children for whom you or your spouse is the legal guardian
For the following dependent children to be eligible for coverage, you a parent or guardian must provide at least 50% of their support:
- Married stepchildren
- Married children for whom you or your spouse is the legal guardian
- Married or unmarried grandchildren or other blood relative
Pre-existing Conditions
Preexisting conditions are not covered under this plan. A preexisting condition is a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received during the 24 months right before you enrolled. Any condition that occurred in any earlier plan benefit period will be a preexisting condition under a subsequent plan benefit period.
Purchasing an Additional Plan
If you still need temporary insurance when your first Blue Short Term plan expires and you are still able to answer no to the questions under Part E of the application, you may reapply as often as needed (within a maximum term of 360 days) by completing a new application and sending it in with the appropriate premium. After the 360-day limit, you must wait at least six (6) months before reapplying for another short term plan.
Short Term Medical vs. COBRA
A short term health plan is an excellent alternative to expenseive COBRA premiums for most healthy individuals. Individuals who will need (or soon need) medical care for an exisiting chronic medical condition should elect COBRA since short term medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. The table below illustrates the major differences between short term health insurance and COBRA.
| Short Term Medical | COBRA Insurance | |
| Type of Coverage | Major medical coverage, including inpatient & outpatient care | Same as previous benefits |
| Significant exclusions | Pre-existing conditions, wellness benefits | All previous exclusions |
| Choice of doctors | Free to choose any doctor or hosptial | If previous coverage was PPO or HMO, choice limited to in-network providers |
| Price | Up to 70% less expensive than COBRA coverage, depending on insured's age, city of residence, and cost of COBRA | Up to 102% of total price of employer's plan. The 2008 median price in Indiana for single coverage is $361/month |
Short Term Medical Plan Exclusions
Short Term Medical Insurance coverage is designed to protect you in the event of an unexpected illness or injury. Because of this, medical insurance coverage for preventive care, pre-existing conditions, physicals, pregnancy, immunizations, dental or eye care services are not covered by short term medical plans. Any medical expense incurried outside the U.S. or Canada is also excluded from temporary insurance plans. Individuals that need medical coverage outside the country can get an international travel insurance policy.
How HIPPA Legistlation affects Short Term Medical Plans
Under HIPAA, short term medical policies are generally exempt from the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). This means that when issuing a Short Term Medical policy, insurance carriers do not have to: guarantee renewability, guarantee issue or waive the pre-existing condition limitation for federally eligible individuals.
In Indiana, an individual must maintain health coverage for 18 consecutive months without any break in coverage longer than 63 days to avoid pre-existing condition limitations. Previous creditable coverage includes:
- A group health plan
- Health insurance coverage
- Part A or Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare)
- Title XIX of the Social Security Act, other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under section 1928 (Medicaid)
- Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code (Champus)
- A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization
- A state health benefits risk pool
- A health plan offered under chapter 89 of title 5, United States code (Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan)
- A public health plan (as defined in regulations)
- A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act