BestShort-Term Health InsuranceBest Short-Term Health Insurance in Oklahoma (2023)
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Short-term health insurance serves to bridge coverage gaps. It can last a year or as little as a few weeks or months. It’s an ideal option for people between jobs or those waiting for open enrollment.
However, short-term plans aren’t ACA-compliant. They don't always offer essential health benefits, and providers can deny applicants with pre-existing conditions or certain medical concerns.
If you’re looking for the best short-term medical insurance in Oklahoma, consider National General Accident & Health and Everest Reinsurance Company, both with scores of 85. Overall, an ideal short-term health insurance policy offers coverage that meets your specific needs at an affordable price.
Remember that short-term health insurance should not replace marketplace plans offering necessary medical benefits. If cost is an issue and you need long-term coverage, we recommend researching subsidies to find a marketplace plan at a cost similar to a short-term plan.
BestShort-Term Health InsuranceBest Companies for Short-Term Health Insurance in Oklahoma
Best Overall - National General Accident & Health
Best Cheap - National General Accident & Health
Best for Between Jobs - Everest
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 Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s best short-term health insurance provider is National General Accident & Health, earning a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100. This insurance provider has an average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cost of $6,875.
- Everest Reinsurance Company: 85 out of 100
- Companion Life Insurance Company: 63 out of 100
MoneyGeek selected these companies based on the variety of cost-sharing options and average MOOP expenses. The average MOOP of Everest Reinsurance is $7,958, whereas the average MOOP of Companion Life is $12,483.
National General Accident & Health
National General Accident & Health earned a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 and is our top pick for monthly health insurance in Oklahoma. It offers an average number of plan options and is available in most states. It also has one of the highest available coverage limits among Oklahoma insurers.
Potential customers who prefer flexible term lengths may like National General Accident & Health. It gives you term length options ranging from three months to three years. However, National General Accident & Health may not fit everyone’s needs. For instance, it has a longer waiting period, and out-of-pocket limits are significantly high for certain plans.
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CAN I GO WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?
When you’re in between health plans for a few months, opting out of health insurance can be tempting. However, temporary health insurance will be a huge financial help if you have an accident or need unplanned surgery that can cost thousands of dollars.
Best Cheap Short-Term Health Insurance
National General Accident & Health’s average MOOP is $6,875, the cheapest for short-term health insurance in Oklahoma. Lower premiums can be enticing but note that they are usually paired with higher out-of-pocket costs. If you’re prioritizing a plan’s cost, ensure the coverage is sufficient for your medical needs.
National General Accident & Health
National General Accident & Health is also MoneyGeek’s top pick for Oklahoma’s cheapest short-term health insurance. This insurance provider offers exceptionally low out-of-pocket limits for certain plans, low co-insurance and a fairly cheap application fee. It’s an ideal option for those looking to save a couple of dollars on their short-term medical insurance. Some plans, however, have extremely high deductibles.
SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE LIMITATIONS
While short-term health insurance has its benefits, it’s also important to acknowledge its drawbacks. Short-term health insurance isn’t a replacement for a long-term market plan. Instead, short-term plans protect you from catastrophic expenses if you have a critical medical need.
Many short-term plans lack coverage for pre-existing conditions and don’t provide essential medical benefits. Additionally, if you develop a serious condition during your coverage, it’s possible your policy won’t be renewed.
Best Short-Term Health Insurance Between Jobs
In Oklahoma, you can purchase health insurance for one month with low premiums. People between jobs may prefer cheaper premiums, but these usually come with high MOOPs. If you don’t need to see your doctor often, then monthly health insurance is a great option.
MoneyGeek evaluated the premiums and cost-sharing options and found that the best providers of short-term health insurance between jobs are:
- Everest Reinsurance Company: $154 per month
- Companion Life Insurance Company: $141 per month
- Independence American Insurance Company: $156 per month
These companies have average monthly premiums between $141–156. While Everest Reinsurance Company’s premiums are slightly more expensive than our runner-up’s, it has the lowest out-of-pocket limits.
Everest
Everest Reinsurance Company sells products such as short-term insurance and indemnity plans. Those between jobs will like Everest Reinsurance’s low premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket limits. Additionally, it consistently offers good coverage for the price and has a generally short waiting period.
With several plan options and coverage limits, applicants can easily select a plan that suits their needs. Everest Reinsurance Company allows you to choose term lengths anywhere from three months to one year.
However, Everest Reinsurance Company has only one short-term plan type and a high application fee.
SHOULD I EXTEND SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE?
Extending your short-term health insurance is sensible under certain circumstances. For example, you may opt to lengthen your short-term plan if open enrollment is a few months away or if the starting date of your new job is pushed back.
On the other hand, we advise against choosing short-term health insurance over market plans for the long run. If you’re looking to save, marketplace plans have affordable tiers such as Catastrophic and Bronze. These fairly cheap health insurance options cover essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions.
How Does Short-Term Health Insurance Work in Oklahoma?
Short-term health insurance is designed to cover lapses in coverage, ranging between a few weeks to a year. It should act as an emergency plan rather than a preventive strategy.
Some states allow you to get insurance for up to 364 days and renew your plan more than once. However, this is not the case in Oklahoma. Short-term insurance plans in Oklahoma that don't offer state-mandated benefits are non-renewable and shouldn’t cover you beyond six months. If you opt for a plan that extends beyond that period, it must include all state-mandated benefits.
Oklahoma also allows health insurance companies to exclude benefits for pre-existing conditions.
How to Buy Short-Term Health Insurance in Oklahoma
Consider several factors before you get short-term health insurance in Oklahoma. If you’re unsure where to start, MoneyGeek outlines a step-by-step guide to purchasing a short-term plan.
1
Determine How Long You Need Coverage
Your current situation will heavily impact the duration of your short-term health insurance. Consider how long you need your policy to cover you, especially if you’re waiting for your job’s starting date or open enrollment. Short-term plans can be as short as three months or as long as three years.
2
Assess Your Health Care Needs
Keep in mind that short-term plans aren’t compliant with the Affordable Care Act. Thus, they don’t cover all necessary medical benefits. Take note of your health care needs, like prescription drugs, and understand what short-term plans include.
3
Research Providers and Available Plans
Several short-term insurance companies operate in Oklahoma. We recommend weighing the options and comparing each provider's offerings — their plan options, term lengths, MOOPs, deductibles and coverage limits — to find the best one for your needs.
SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE VS. MARKETPLACE PLANS
Short-term health insurance and ACA-compliant market plans differ in many ways. Short-term plans can cover you for several weeks or up to a year. However, they don’t always include essential health benefits, and providers can deny those with pre-existing conditions. A short-term plan is ideal for emergency situations since it has almost no waiting period.
Meanwhile, marketplace plans cover individuals with pre-existing conditions and offer necessary medical benefits, including maternity care, doctor visits and preventive care.
Short-term plans are best for bridging coverage gaps, while market plans are an overall better option in the long run.
FAQs About Short-Term Health Insurance in Oklahoma
Shopping for short-term health insurance in Oklahoma can be overwhelming. MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions to get you started.
About Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent
sources
- National Health Insurance Company. "National General Health Insurance." Accessed August 17, 2022.
- Oklahoma Insurance Department. "Health Insurance." Accessed August 17, 2022.