Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Iowa (2024)

Short-term health insurance is designed to bridge temporary gaps in medical coverage, lasting no more than a few months to a year, though it can be extended. It’s ideal for individuals who are between jobs, outside of open enrollment or waiting for Medicare to start.

However, short-term health insurance plans are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), meaning they don’t include essential health benefits or cover pre-existing conditions.

The two companies offering the best short-term health insurance in Iowa are National General Accident & Health and UnitedHealthcare, scoring 90 and 70 out of 100, respectively. But the best short-term health insurance for you will combine affordability with coverage that’s specific to your needs.

It’s important to remember that short-term health insurance is not a good replacement for a marketplace plan. If you’re looking to save on a policy, researching ACA subsidies can help you find better coverage at a similar cost.

With a score of 90 out of 100, National General Accident & Health is MoneyGeek’s pick for the best short-term health insurance company in Iowa.

Meanwhile, the companies in second and third place are:

• UnitedHealthcare: 70 out of 100
• Companion Life Insurance Company: 63 out of 100

We selected these companies based on their average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs and various cost-sharing options. National General Accident & Health’s average MOOP is the lowest at $6,700, while UnitedHealthcare and Companion Life Insurance Company have average MOOPs of $9,810 and $12,438, respectively.

If you’re on a budget, National General Accident & Health offers the cheapest short-term health insurance in Iowa. The company’s average MOOP is $6,700.

While plans with low premiums are great, keep in mind that they usually come with higher out-of-pocket costs. Thus, it’s critical to ensure the coverage you’ll get is sufficient for your health needs when shopping around for a plan based on affordability.

Those who are between jobs may find short-term health insurance to be a good fit for their situation. MoneyGeek’s analysis found that the best companies for temporary health insurance in Iowa while unemployed are:

• Independence American Insurance Company: $137 per month
• Companion Life Insurance Company: $143 per month
• UnitedHealthcare: $153 per month

For this category, we focused on average monthly premiums and cost-sharing options. Our top picks offer average monthly premiums ranging from $137 to $153. While Companion Life Insurance has the most plan options, Independence American Insurance Company stood out for providing the lowest average premium.

Short-term health insurance can help bridge temporary gaps in medical coverage, typically for a few months to a year. In general, it’s designed to be emergency protection, not a preventive plan.

Under Iowa law, short-term health insurance coverage can last for up to 364 days. Short-term plans can also be renewed for a period of up to three years. In 2019, the Iowa Insurance Division imposed new requirements on short-term health insurance, particularly its minimum coverage, out-of-pocket limits and renewability.

MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions to help you learn more about short-term health insurance in Iowa.