Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Minnesota (2024)


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Updated: May 22, 2024

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You may need this if you're between jobs or awaiting open enrollment or Medicare coverage. A plan usually lasts for less than a year but can sometimes.

This type of health insurance doesn’t follow the Affordable Care Act (ACA). So, it won’t always cover essential health benefits or pre-existing conditions.

Minnesota's best short-term health insurance companies are UnitedHealthcare and Independence American Insurance Company. This is because they earned MoneyGeek scores of 85 and 80, respectively.

But, your best plan blends affordability and coverage specific to your needs.

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2024

Best Companies for Short-Term Health Insurance in Minnesota

METHODOLOGY

To find the best short-term health insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed thousands of plans. We looked at prices, options and cost-sharing choices. Then, we compiled an overview of short-term health insurance providers in each state.

For short-term providers by category, we redistributed weights based on plan goals.

Be advised: The costs provided are averages. Actual rates vary based on consumer profile and location.

Best Overall Short-Term Health Insurance in Minnesota

MoneyGeek’s analysis found the best short-term health insurance companies in Minnesota are:

  • UnitedHealthcare: 85 out of 100
  • Independence American Insurance Company: 80 out of 100

We picked these companies using average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs and cost-sharing options.

UnitedHealthcare’s average MOOP is $11,321. Meanwhile, Independence American Insurance Company averages $12,833.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
UnitedHealthcare

MoneyGeek scored UnitedHealthcare at 85. This made it the best overall temporary health insurance in Minnesota. It also offers supplemental, vision and dental insurance.

UnitedHealthcare has several short-term plan types, term lengths, deductibles and coinsurance options.

Its short-term plans cover doctor's offices and urgent care visits. They also may include hospitalization, generic prescriptions, limited preventive care and more.

That said, take note of its application fee before purchasing.

Compare Health Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your health insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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CAN I GO WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?

Going without medical coverage for a few months may be tempting, particularly if young and healthy. But, you should think twice about this. The financial burden that often comes with a medical emergency is high. For example, an unplanned surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Best Cheap Short-Term Health Insurance

UnitedHealthcare offers the cheapest short-term health insurance in Minnesota. This insurer’s average MOOP cost is $11,321.

Plans with low monthly premiums usually have higher out-of-pocket posts. Further, coverage may not meet your health needs, so be sure to dig into the fine print.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
UnitedHealthcare

MoneyGeek found UnitedHealthcare is also the cheapest short-term health insurance in Minnesota. It offers low out-of-pocket MOOP costs, plans with low or no coinsurance and deductibles of $1,000 to $15,000.

SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE LIMITATIONS

But, price isn't the only factor. Short-term insurance may protect you financially against medical emergencies. It often doesn't cover many health benefits or pre-existing conditions.

Short-term health insurance to bridge temporary gaps in medical coverage. It's not there to replace marketplace or long-term plans.

Best Short-Term Health Insurance Between Jobs

When shopping around temporary health insurance while unemployed, cheap premiums may be tempting. But, they often come with high MOOP costs.

Premiums and cost-sharing matter for short-term health insurance options for times between jobs. MoneyGeek considered that when deciding on the best plans for those between jobs. They found the best short-term health insurance while unemployed in Minnesota are:

  • Independence American Insurance Company: $137 per month
  • UnitedHealthcare: $157 per month

Independence American Insurance Company has lower average premiums and more plans than UnitedHealthcare.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Independence American Insurance Company

It offers various products, including short-term medical, hospital indemnity, dental and pet insurance. Short-term health insurance varies in terms, with coverage lasting up to three years. Plus, there’s no application fee.

But, Independence American Insurance Company’s MOOP cost is relatively high. Plus, some of its plans don’t have out-of-network coverage.

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SHOULD I EXTEND SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE?

Extending short-term health insurance sometimes makes sense. For instance, if an employer delays your start date or open enrollment is a few months away, that may work well.

But, keeping short-term coverage if long-term is available is generally inadvisable. Even if you’re healthy and on a budget, you should be able to find good marketplace plans.

How Does Short-Term Health Insurance Work in Minnesota?

Short-term health insurance intends to bridge brief lapses in medical coverage. It’s more of an emergency plan rather than a preventive strategy.

In Minnesota, short-term plans last up to six months and are nonrenewable. But, you can buy another short-term plan once your previous one expires. This allows coverage for up to 12 out of 18 months.

It’s important to note that you’re not guaranteed to have the same plan if you choose to get more short-term coverage. Plus, if you developed a condition while covered, it would now be pre-existing and your new plan may not cover it.

How to Buy Short-Term Health Insurance in Minnesota

Purchasing short-term health insurance in Minnesota can be daunting, especially for first-time buyers. To help ease this process, MoneyGeek outlines some essential steps you can take below.

1
Determine How Long You Need Coverage

It’s vital to analyze your situation and figure out how long you’ll need coverage.

2
Assess Your Health Care Needs

Short-term health insurance plans don't have to follow the ACA. So, they don’t need to cover essential health benefits or pre-existing conditions. As such, you need to assess your health care needs. For instance, check if a plan covers prescriptions or urgent care if you think you'll need those.

3
Research Providers and Available Plans

It’s essential to research providers and compare plans before buying. Doing so can help you learn more about coverage options and determine the best choice for your needs.

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SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE VS. MARKETPLACE PLANS

Knowing the difference between short-term health insurance vs. ACA-compliant plans is critical.

Short-term health insurance doesn’t have to cover essential benefits and pre-existing conditions. But, you can enroll in a plan anytime, with coverage taking effect as early as the next day.

On the other hand, marketplace plans are usually more comprehensive. They cover essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions under ACA guidelines. But, you can only buy or change a plan during the open enrollment, which starts on November 1. Otherwise, you may only qualify for special enrollment in narrow circumstances. These include specific life events like getting married or losing permanent health coverage.

FAQs About Short-Term Health Insurance in Minnesota

MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions about Minnesota short-term health insurance below.

What does short-term health insurance cover?
Can you get short-term health insurance with pre-existing conditions?
How long can you stay on short-term health insurance in Minnesota?
Can you cancel short-term health insurance in Minnesota?

About Brenna Kelly


Brenna Kelly headshot

Brenna Kelly, the former Health Insurance Content Manager at MoneyGeek, is a licensed health insurance agent and real estate associate. She is qualified to provide expert insight and advice on medical insurance, disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Kelly has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida. She uses her content production experience and health insurance expertise to deliver informative articles.


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