Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Illinois (2024)

Short-term health insurance can temporarily cover you when you're between jobs, missed open enrollment or looking for coverage before Medicare begins. Coverage typically lasts less than a year but can be extended. However, it's worth noting that short-term plans are not Affordable Care Act-compliant, so they don't always include essential health benefits or cover pre-existing medical conditions.

MoneyGeek discovered that National General Accident & Health offers the best overall short-term health insurance in Illinois, scoring 95 out of 100. Another great option in the state is Everest Reinsurance Company, which received a score of 85 out of 100.

If you’re keen on saving money, note that short-term health insurance is not an ideal replacement for a marketplace plan. It’s best to research health insurance subsidies to get better coverage at an affordable cost.

According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, the companies offering the best temporary health insurance in Illinois are:

• National General Accident & Health: 95 out of 100
• Everest Reinsurance Company: 85 out of 100
• UnitedHealthcare: 55 out of 100

These companies were selected based on their maximum out-of-pocket costs and other cost-sharing options.

On average, the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs from National General Accident & Health and Everest Reinsurance Company are similar at $7,500 and $7,958, respectively. Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare’s MOOP cost is approximately $11,833.

For those on a budget, National General Accident & Health has the cheapest short-term health insurance in Illinois. A plan from this insurer has an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $7,500.

When shopping around for affordable insurance, you'll find that companies tend to offer lower premiums for plans with higher out-of-pocket costs. Make sure the coverage you'll get is sufficient for your health care needs.

Another common reason for short-term health insurance is when you're between jobs. MoneyGeek focused on monthly premiums and cost-sharing options to determine that the best companies in Illinois for unemployed individuals are:

• Companion Life Insurance Company: $148 per month
• Everest Reinsurance Company: $162 per month
• Independence American Insurance Company: $171 per month

Although Companion Life Insurance Company has fewer plan options than the other two, it had the lowest average premium, raising its overall value in our ranking of Illinois providers.

As always, it's wise to consider coverage and cost-sharing options alongside monthly premiums. Plans with lower premiums usually have higher MOOP costs. Thus, they may only be ideal for those who don't require much medical attention.

Short-term health insurance covers you during a lapse in long-term coverage, usually from a few months to a year. Consider it emergency protection, not a long-term strategy.

Although some states allow you to renew your short-term plan for up to two years, this is not the case in Illinois. Under Illinois state law, you can only get temporary health insurance coverage for up to six months. Furthermore, you cannot renew or extend your short-term plan for a year after coverage ends. You're also prohibited from purchasing another plan from the same company within 60 days of your previous one's expiration date.

MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions to help you better understand short-term health insurance in Illinois.