Best Short-Term Health Insurance in West Virginia (2024)


Updated: October 3, 2024

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Short-term health insurance provides coverage while you wait for a longer-term plan to take effect. You can purchase short-term plans for a few weeks or months at a time. They typically last less than a year but are often extendable.

Those who missed open enrollment or are between jobs may benefit from short-term health insurance. However, because they are not ACA-compliant, short-term health insurance plans don’t provide essential health benefits. Additionally, insurers can reject applicants with health problems or pre-existing conditions.

Short-term health plans are not substitutes for long-term marketplace plans. If cost is an issue, explore subsidies that can help you find a marketplace plan with far better coverage than a short-term plan at a similar cost.

MoneyGeek's top overall pick for short-term medical insurance in West Virginia is National General Accident & Health, scoring 95 out of 100, followed by Health and Everest Reinsurance Company with a score of 85 out of 100.

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2024

Best Companies for Short-Term Health Insurance in West Virginia

METHODOLOGY

MoneyGeek compared thousands of short-term health insurance plans to determine which offered the best pricing, plans and cost-sharing options. We compiled an overview of short-term health insurance providers within each state by aggregating their plans by company. To determine the best short-term providers in specific categories, weights were re-adjusted to reflect the objective of the health insurance plan.

The cost estimates provided are averages. Consumer profiles and location will affect actual rates.

Best Overall Short-Term Health Insurance in West Virginia

The best overall short-term health insurance company in West Virginia is National General Accident & Health, which scored 95 and has an average maximum out-of-pocket limit (MOOP) of $7,500. MoneyGeek analyzed average maximum out-of-pocket costs and available cost-sharing options to develop its rankings.

In second and third place are:

  • Everest Reinsurance Company: 85 out of 100
  • UnitedHealthcare: 68 out of 100

Our runner-up is Everest Reinsurance Company, which scored 85 out of 100 and has an average MOOP of $7,958. Everest offers the most plan options in the state. UnitedHealthcare comes in third with a score of 68 out of 100 and an average MOOP of $11,324.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

National General Accident & Health offers are short-term health insurance, Medicare supplement plans and accident and critical illness plans.

The company’s short-term health insurance policies are available in various term lengths and with several prescription drug coverages and cost-sharing options. However, National General Accident & Health only offers PPO policies. Waiting periods for some plans can be long, and deductibles can be quite high.

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CAN I GO WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?

In some circumstances, people may forgo health insurance for a few months rather than get short-term coverage. However, accidents can occur at any time and can be extremely costly. In addition, unplanned surgeries can cost thousands of dollars. Spending a few dollars per month on short-term insurance will protect you from unexpected financial burdens in the event of an accident or hospitalization.

Best Cheap Short-Term Health Insurance

In West Virginia, National General Accident & Health offers the cheapest short-term health insurance, with an average MOOP of $7,500. While low premiums are great, they usually translate to higher out-of-pocket expenses. So, before choosing an inexpensive plan, consider whether it provides sufficient coverage for your health needs.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
National General Accident & Health

As the cheapest short-term health insurance provider in West Virginia, National General Accident & Health has the lowest average maximum out-of-pocket costs, at $7,500. It also offers a variety of cost-sharing options that allow you to customize your short-term health insurance policy according to your needs.

SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE LIMITATIONS

Remember, short-term health plans should not replace long-term or marketplace plans. Short-term health insurance covers catastrophic expenses resulting from accidents. They don’t provide essential health benefits or cover pre-existing conditions. And, if you develop a health condition during the plan’s term, the insurer can opt not to renew your policy.

Best Short-Term Health Insurance Between Jobs

If you are between jobs, shop around and compare each provider's monthly premiums, cost-sharing options and health care coverage. MoneyGeek's top picks for West Virginia short-term health insurance companies if you’re unemployed are:

  • Companion Life Insurance Company: $141 per month
  • UnitedHealthcare: $167 per month
  • Independence American Insurance Company: $169 per month

The average monthly premiums for these companies range from $140 to $170. However, Independence American Insurance Company offers the most flexible coverage plan options.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Companion Life Insurance Company

Companion Life Insurance Company offers various insurance products, including short-term health insurance, managed care and Medicare supplement options. It’s available in 26 states, including West Virginia.

Companion Life Insurance Company can cover you up to $1 million and provides out-of-network and prescription drug coverage. While plans have application fees and waiting periods, they are generally low and short, although cancer patients may have longer waiting periods. In addition, the company offers a limited number of plan options and term lengths.

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SHOULD I EXTEND SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE?

Extending short-term health coverage is reasonable if a new job's start date is delayed or open enrollment is less than a few months away.

Since short-term plans don't offer comprehensive coverage or health benefits, they are not a substitute for marketplace plans. Inexpensive marketplace plans that cover essential health benefits may be a better choice. The marketplace offers a variety of affordable health insurance plans, such as Catastrophic, Bronze and high-deductible plans.

How Does Short-Term Health Insurance Work in West Virginia?

Short-term plans generally have lower premiums than major medical plans but are less comprehensive. A short-term health insurance policy typically covers you for a period of 30 to 90 days, and up to 12 months.

Persons with short-term insurance in West Virginia can extend their coverage after 364 days, if necessary, for a maximum of 36 months.

How to Buy Short-Term Health Insurance in West Virginia

You may need temporary health insurance in specific situations, such as when you're between jobs. If you are looking for short-term health insurance in West Virginia, MoneyGeek guides you through the process.

1
Determine How Long You Need Coverage

Consider how long you’ll need the coverage. In West Virginia, short-term health plans can last from 30 to 364 days, and up to a maximum of 36 months.

2
Assess Your Health Care Needs

Marketplace health plans usually cover the ten essential health benefits (EHB), but short-term health plans do not. Therefore, assess your medical needs, including prescriptions and immediate care, to ensure you’ll be covered. Check if there is a waiting period for coverage if you have a chronic illness, and choose providers that offer prescription drug coverage. To avoid unexpected costs, check whether the provider requires application fees. Ultimately, ensure that your preferred plan meets your needs.

3
Research Providers and Available Plans

Consider shopping around and comparing short-term health plan options and providers to find the best plan for your needs. Take time to carefully review each provider’s plans, including their deductibles, premiums and coverage limits.

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SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE VS. MARKETPLACE PLANS

An ACA-compliant health insurance policy meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, including the 10 essential health benefits, and has no annual or lifetime cap. In addition, companies cannot deny you coverage for a pre-existing condition. You can purchase marketplace insurance only during the open enrollment period, which begins November 1, unless you have a qualifying life event.

Short-term life insurers can deny you coverage for pre-existing health conditions and generally don't offer essential health benefits. This type of insurance should never replace marketplace coverage but rather fill short-term coverage gaps.

FAQs About Short-Term Health Insurance in West Virginia

Health insurance is a complicated topic, especially if you are in the midst of a life transition and urgently need coverage. We answer some frequently asked questions about West Virginia short-term health insurance to help you choose the best option for your needs.

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 West Virginia?
Can you cancel short-term health insurance in West Virginia?

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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