Short-Term Health Insurance in Wisconsin

Short-term health insurance protects you while you’re between jobs or if you missed the marketplace open enrollment period. In Wisconsin, short-term health insurance generally lasts less than a year but can be extended. It can cover you for several weeks or a few months.

However, short-term health insurance doesn’t comply with ACA mandates, so it doesn’t cover essential health benefits. Insurers can also decline applicants due to certain health issues or pre-existing conditions.

The top two companies with the best short-term medical insurance in Wisconsin are National General Accident & Health and Everest Reinsurance Company. They earned outstanding scores of 95 and 85 out of 100, respectively.

The best short-term health insurance provides affordable coverage that matches your needs. Remember that market-based plans, which include vital medical benefits, are better than short-term health insurance. By exploring marketplace subsidies, you may find a market plan with the coverage you need for the same cost as a short-term plan.

National General Accident & Health ranks as Wisconsin’s best overall short-term health insurance company. It earned a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100.

The second and third-place insurance providers are:

• Everest Reinsurance Company: 85 out of 100
• UnitedHealthcare: 55 out of 100

We chose these providers based on their average out-of-pocket maximums (MOOP) and cost-sharing options. National General Accident & Health has an average MOOP of $7,500. Everest has an average MOOP of $7,958, while UnitedHealthcare’s MOOP is considerably higher at $11,833.

National General Accident & Health provides Wisconsin's cheapest short-term health insurance, with an average MOOP of $7,500.

Note that more affordable premiums usually come with higher out-of-pocket expenses. When you choose a plan according to price, ensure its coverage meets your health needs.

Most people need to cut costs when they’re between jobs, so affordable premiums are attractive. But remember that cheap short-term health insurance may come with higher MOOPs, which can cost you more if you anticipate needing frequent physician care.

MoneyGeek reviewed premiums and cost-sharing options and identified the following as the best health insurance providers while between jobs in Wisconsin:

• Everest Reinsurance Company: $163 per month
• Companion Life Insurance Company: $150 per month
• Independence American Insurance Company: $167 per month

While Companion Life is the cheapest, Everest Reinsurance Company takes the lead by offering 11 plan choices.

Generally, short-term health insurance protects you for a few months and is not a replacement for long-term coverage. Short-term medical insurance is not a permanent solution but a backup plan in case of unforeseen events.

In most states, like Wisconsin, you can get a short-term plan for 365 days and renew it for a maximum of 18 months.

Exploring different health insurance options can be challenging. Below, MoneyGeek answers the most commonly asked questions about short-term health insurance plans.