Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Missouri (2024)


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Updated: May 22, 2024

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Short-term health insurance typically lasts less than a year and can bridge coverage gaps between long-term plans. You can purchase these plans for a few weeks or months and extend them. They cover people transitioning between employers or waiting for open enrollment. However, these plans aren't Affordable Care Act-compliant, so they don't necessarily cover essential health benefits and allow providers to reject applicants with medical problems or pre-existing conditions.

National General Accident & Health and Everest Reinsurance Company, with ratings of 90 and 85, respectively, are the two best short-term health insurance providers in Missouri. The best insurer for you will offer the coverage you need at an affordable premium.

However, short-term health insurance isn't meant to replace long-term marketplace plans. If you qualify for subsidies, you can find a marketplace plan with significantly better coverage than a short-term plan at a comparable price.

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2024

Best Companies for Short-Term Health Insurance in Missouri

METHODOLOGY

To determine the best short-term health insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed the pricing, plan options and cost-sharing choices for thousands of plans. Within each state, plans were aggregated by company to compile an overview of a short-term health insurance provider. In determining the best short-term providers for specific categories, weights were redistributed to take into account the goal of the health insurance plan.

Please be advised that the costs provided are averages. Actual rates will vary based on consumer profile and location.

Best Overall Short-Term Health Insurance in Missouri

With a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100, National General Accident & Health is Missouri's best short-term health insurance provider.

The following came in second and third:

  • Everest Reinsurance Company: 85 out of 100
  • Companion Life Insurance Company: 63 out of 100

These companies offer the best cost-sharing options and average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs. The best insurer’s average MOOP is $6,700, while the runners-up quote $7,958 and $12,438, respectively.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

National General Accident & Health received a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 and offers the best short-term health insurance in Missouri. The company provides clients with 15 distinct short-term health, fixed-benefit, accident, critical illness, dental, vision and hearing plans, as well as Medicare Supplement coverage.

National General Accident & Health’s short-term health plans protect you from unforeseen medical expenses; some include a variety of benefits like prescription coverage and emergency care. The company's website is a hub for a wide range of services, including insurance purchasing, policy management and claim filing.

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?

You may be tempted to forgo purchasing short-term health insurance and take your chances for a few months. But medical costs after an accident or emergency surgery can add up to thousands of dollars and wreak havoc on your finances.

Best Cheap Short-Term Health Insurance

National General Accident & Health provides Missouri's cheapest short-term health insurance, with an average MOOP of $6,700. In most cases, lower premiums mean higher out-of-pocket costs. Ensure the plan’s level of coverage meets your requirements before making a purchase decision based on price alone.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

MoneyGeek's analysis found that National General Accident & Health is not only the best but also the cheapest short-term health insurance company in Missouri. The company provides different levels of coverage and term durations across various plans, often with reduced out-of-pocket maximums and lower co-insurance rates. However, some plans come with higher deductibles, particularly the ones with more affordable premiums.

SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE LIMITATIONS

Before making a purchase, learn about the specifics of Missouri's short-term health insurance. Understand that short-term insurance is not meant to replace a marketplace or long-term plan. Instead, it safeguards you from financial disaster due to an unforeseen medical emergency.

Many of these plans exclude pre-existing conditions, depriving policyholders of crucial medical benefits. In addition, if you develop an illness while you have short-term coverage, your policy might not be renewed.

Best Short-Term Health Insurance Between Jobs

Although people opt for cheaper plans while between jobs, it’s prudent to weigh monthly premiums against coverage and cost-sharing options. If you need frequent medical care, the high MOOPs associated with cheaper plans can end up costing more.

MoneyGeek compared premiums and cost-sharing alternatives for companies offering temporary health insurance in Missouri and recommends the following:

  • Everest Reinsurance Company: $122 per month
  • National General Accident & Health: $139 per month
  • Companion Life Insurance Company: $147 per month

One-month premiums from these providers typically average $120 to $150. Everest Reinsurance Company offers the most options for splitting coverage costs.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Everest

Everest Reinsurance Company only offers one short-term medical insurance plan type, but it includes out-of-network coverage and has minimal out-of-pocket limits. Additionally, policyholders have various deductible, co-insurance and coverage amount options. This insurer doesn’t have a long waiting period and offers coverage up to $1,500,000.

However, none of its policies include prescription coverage for generic drugs. Additionally, cancer patients have a longer wait period.

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SHOULD I EXTEND SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE?

If your new job’s start date is postponed or open enrollment begins soon, it may make sense to extend your short-term coverage. However, choosing short-term insurance over a long-term marketplace plan is not smart. Catastrophic (high-deductible) and Bronze marketplace plans are affordable and deliver the required benefits.

How Does Short-Term Health Insurance Work in Missouri?

Short-term health insurance, which usually lasts no longer than a few months, is meant to be a stopgap until you can obtain permanent health insurance. It’s an emergency plan rather than a preventive approach.

In contrast to several states, Missouri's law permits you to extend your short-term insurance coverage for up to 36 months, provided each term last six months or less. After your coverage expires every six months, you can renew or extend your short-term plan. Additionally, you may purchase extra coverage.

How to Buy Short-Term Health Insurance in Missouri

There’s much to consider when searching for the best short-term health insurance. MoneyGeek has laid out steps to get you started.

1
Determine How Long You Need Coverage

Most short-term health insurance policies last between three months and three years, although some can be as brief as a few weeks. Choose a short-term plan duration that fits your coverage gap time.

2
Assess Your Health Care Needs

Evaluate your unique health care needs. Determine whether you need prescription medication coverage, low deductibles or a plan with no application fee.

3
Research Providers and Available Plans

Short-term health insurance policies that cost less upfront may not be worth the savings if they don't provide adequate coverage. MoneyGeek recommends researching several providers and learning about their policies to further filter your alternatives.

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SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE VS. MARKETPLACE PLANS

Short-term health insurance and marketplace plans differ in critical ways. Short-term health insurance may not cover pre-existing conditions or provide coverage for essential health services. Generally, short-term plans are intended to cover unforeseen expenditures. Short-term health insurance plans are not the best option for those with serious medical conditions.

On the other hand, market-based plans must cover pre-existing conditions as well as all necessary benefits. You can purchase these plans during the open enrollment period, which begins on November 1 and lasts around six weeks. However, you may be eligible for special enrollment if you have a qualifying life event.

FAQs About Short-Term Health Insurance in Missouri

MoneyGeek provides answers to questions about short-term health insurance in Missouri.

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 Missouri?
Can you cancel short-term health insurance in Missouri?

About Brenna Kelly


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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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