Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Ohio (2024)


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Updated: May 22, 2024

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Whether you’re in between jobs or waiting for open enrollment, short-term health insurance is a great way to stay protected during coverage gaps. Short-term health insurance can last for a few weeks or a year, depending on what you need.

Keep in mind that short-term plans are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act. Thus, they often don’t include essential medical benefits or cover those with certain pre-existing medical issues.

MoneyGeek determined that National General Accident & Health is the top-rated insurance provider that offers short-term health insurance in Ohio, with a score of 95 out of 100. Our runner-up is Everest Reinsurance Company, scoring 85 out of 100.

However, short-term plans should not replace marketplace plans. If you’re looking for potential savings, a health insurance subsidy can get you a market plan with significantly better coverage at a reasonable price.

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2024

Best Companies for Short-Term Health Insurance in Ohio

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 Ohio

MoneyGeek’s research revealed that the following companies offer the best short-term medical plans in Ohio:

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

We selected these companies based on their average maximum out-of-pocket costs and range of cost-sharing options.

The average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs of National General Accident & Health are $7,500. The MOOP costs for Everest Reinsurance Company and UnitedHealthcare are roughly $7,958 and $11,321, respectively.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

With a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100, National General Accident & Health is an outstanding provider of short-term medical plans and has several plan options. It offers the highest available coverage limit, and policyholders can get a great deal with its high-end plans.

This insurer might also be a good fit for individuals who need generic prescription drug coverage. A third of National General Accident & Health policies include this perk.

While a great option, National General Accident & Health has its cons, including a relatively long waiting period and high deductibles for certain policies.

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CAN I GO WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?

It may sound appealing to go without health insurance for a few months instead of purchasing a short-term plan. However, MoneyGeek discourages this since the financial burden of an accident can cost you greatly. If you unexpectedly need surgery, expenses could run into thousands of dollars.

Best Cheap Short-Term Health Insurance

National General Accident & Health has the cheapest short-term health insurance in Ohio. Its average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cost is $7,500. While low premiums seem great, the trade-off tends to be higher out-of-pocket costs. Thus, the plan you purchase should sufficiently meet your medical needs.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

National General Accident & Health is the most affordable option for temporary health insurance in Ohio. MoneyGeek’s research found that this insurer has affordable co-insurance rates and a low application fee, an extra perk for those looking to save. The provider’s out-of-pocket limits for some plans are also fairly priced. However, the cheaper plans of National General Accident & Health don’t provide much coverage.

SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE LIMITATIONS

It’s important to understand the purpose of short-term health insurance before you buy a policy. Short-term plans aren’t meant to replace a long-term or marketplace plan. Instead, this type of insurance protects policyholders from catastrophic expenses if they get into an accident.

Please note that short-term health insurance doesn’t typically cover pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits. In some cases, individuals who develop a medical illness during their short-term coverage may not be able to renew their policy.

Best Short-Term Health Insurance Between Jobs

Short-term health insurance may be an ideal option for those in between jobs. If you don’t need frequent medical care, a cheap policy with high maximum out-of-pocket costs might be a suitable option.

MoneyGeek focused on monthly premiums and cost-sharing options to determine the best short-term health insurance company for individuals between jobs:

  • National General Accident & Health: $117 per month
  • UnitedHealthcare: $140 per month
  • Companion Life Insurance Company: $141 per month

Each company has an average monthly premium in the $117–141 range. However, National General Accident & Health has the lowest average prices available, along with plenty of plan options for most consumers.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

National General Accident & Health is MoneyGeek’s top pick for the best short-term health insurance for those in between jobs. If you need a bit more flexibility with your short-term plan, this provider has a range of term length options. Term lengths can be anywhere from 30 days to one year with possible renewal. Thus, it may be ideal if your new job’s starting date gets pushed back.

With National General Accident & Health, you might also be able to get out-of-network coverage. A disadvantage of National General Accident & Health is its long waiting period. It also has noticeably high deductibles and out-of-pocket limits for certain plans.

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SHOULD I EXTEND SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE?

Extending short-term health insurance is a decent plan in certain situations. It’s a good idea if open enrollment is several months away or the starting date of your new job is pushed back. Otherwise, we suggest purchasing a long-term or marketplace plan over renewing short-term coverage repeatedly.

There’s a variety of marketplace plans — such as Catastrophic plans, high-deductible health plans and Bronze options — that are affordable and cover the essential medical benefits.

How Does Short-Term Health Insurance Work in Ohio?

Short-term health insurance is a great tool if you’re bridging coverage gaps. This type of insurance can protect you for a few months to a year, depending on what you need. However, short-term policies are best for emergency situations and are not long-term preventive strategies.

Several states across the U.S. allow you to renew your policy after one year. However, it’s not the case in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, a short-term policy’s length can only last up to 364 days.

How to Buy Short-Term Health Insurance in Ohio

While temporary medical insurance can seem like a daunting topic, it doesn’t need to be. MoneyGeek created a guide to help you get started and choose a short-term policy that fits your needs.

1
Determine How Long You Need Coverage

Before you start researching, consider your current situation so you have a rough estimate of how long you’ll need insurance. Short-term health insurance plans usually range from a few weeks all the way up to a year or more (in certain states).

2
Assess Your Health Care Needs

The best short-term plan varies from person to person, so it might be helpful to list your health care needs. Do you need coverage for prescription drugs or immediate care? Is a $0 application fee important to you? Understanding your specific needs can lead you to a suitable policy.

3
Research Providers and Available Plans

Different providers offer different coverage limits, MOOPs, plan options, deductibles, perks and term lengths. Thus, it’s important to weigh your options to find a provider that can meet your medical needs. You can also review available plans to help you narrow down your choices.

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SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE VS. MARKETPLACE PLANS

There are key differences between ACA-compliant plans and short-term health insurance. Comparing both types is a good way to decide which one fits your health care needs. For instance, marketplace plans offer long-term coverage and are usually required to cover those with pre-existing conditions. Additionally, marketplace plans offer more robust benefits, including maternity care and preventive care.

Meanwhile, when comparing short-term health insurance vs. ACA plans, short-term plans typically last for just a few months and don’t always cover individuals with certain medical histories. You might also not be able to renew your short-term medical insurance if you develop a serious medical condition within your term length.

FAQs About Short-Term Health Insurance in Ohio

MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions so you can get a headstart on your short-term health insurance journey in Ohio.

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

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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