Best Short Term Health Insurance in Oregon

Quick Look: Best Short Term Health Insurance in Oregon

• Pivot Health
• LifeMap
• eHealth
• UnitedHealthcare
• Independence American Insurance

It’s said that Oregonians don’t carry umbrellas. Instead, they opt for a jacket with a hood. So, if it rains, they’re prepared. Just as rain sometimes surprises us, so do accidents and illnesses. If you wouldn’t wear a coat without a hood, why go without health insurance. If you know you’re going to experience a lapse in coverage, why not prepare yourself properly with short term health insurance? 

Best Short Term Health Insurance Options in Oregon

Health insurance accounts for a large portion of our budgets. Even so, it’s possible to find affordable health insurance. Short term health insurance is a good option if you’re looking to fill a gap in coverage because you’re waiting for your new employer’s plan to kick-in, you’ve aged out of your parents’ benefits or if you find yourself without care because of a life event. 

The following are some companies highlighted to help jump-start your search. And it’s possible, likely even, to find a plan that fills your gap in coverage, fits your needs and suits your budget. To help you start your search, we’ve highlighted 5 companies that provide short term health insurance in Oregon.

1. Pivot Health

Pivot Health has simplified shopping and comparing prices for health insurance. To get an instant quote, simply answer a few questions. You’ll see multiple plans brought to you by Pivot’s well-known partners. Pivot’s partners include Cigna, Companion Life and The North River Insurance Company. The plans come in an array of premium prices and deductible amounts you can choose from.

Pivot Health boasts a quick application and approval process. Many plans go into effect the next day. Many of its insurance partners are rated an A+ by AM Best. (AM Best rates the financial strength and stability of companies in the insurance industry.)

2. LifeMap

Looking for an affordable short term health insurance plan in Oregon? Consider LifeMap. LifeMap plans cover hospital and emergency care, lab tests and X-rays, and annual breast and pelvic exams. Prostate cancer screening is also covered.

LifeMap short term health plans don’t cover things like preexisting conditions, massage therapy and annual physicals. It’s important to note that LifeMap only covers injuries and illnesses that happen while your policy is active. LifeMap short term plans cover medical only, they don’t include dental and vision benefits.

But, LifeMap does offer affordable dental and vision plans if you’d like to round out your health care. LifeMap plans determine what’s covered and what’s not covered. But, you’re in control when it comes to your premiums, copays and deductible. LifeMap earns an A- from AM Best. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates companies on integrity and performance. LifeMap earns an A+ from the BBB.

3. eHealth Insurance

With eHealth Insurance you can compare health insurance products from recognizable insurers. The site allows you to weed out things you’re not interested in from the get-go.

For example, if your monthly budget is tight, you can choose a price range and will only see plans in that range. That saves you the hassle of having to sort through the clutter to find a plan that fits your budget. Likewise, if you’re only interested in plans with a low deductible, eHealth will only give you options with a low deductible.

From there, you can view plans by the company. eHealth is a good option if you don’t have the time or patience to wade through plans that don’t fit your needs and/or budget. The BBB gives eHealth an A+ rating.

4. UnitedHealthcare

Get short term health insurance fast with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) via its partner Golden Rule Insurance Company. UHC and Golden Rule aren’t new to short term health insurance. Short term health insurance has been part of the Golden Rule offering for more than 30 years. Plans start at less than $100 per month with a deductible of $1,000.

It offers many options so you can choose the plan, payments and deductible that suits you best. UHC boasts one of the largest nationwide networks in the U.S. So, it’s possible that you can get new coverage and keep your preferred physician and hospital. UHC also offers short term health insurance bundled with dental insurance at an affordable rate. If you’re briefly without health insurance it’s possible to maintain coverage and still keep some money in your wallet. UHC earns an A from AM Best and an A+ from the BBB.  

5. Independence American Insurance Company

Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC) offers 3 plans that you can customize to fit your needs and budget. Its policies include limited coverage for things like hospital stays, emergency room visits, surgery and diagnostic doctor visits.

The Connect Plus plan even includes coverage for some preexisting conditions. And that’s a rare bonus for short term health plans. With IAIC you choose from a range of deductible amounts ($1,000 to $10,000). Out-of-pocket maximums start at $2,000 and top out at $10,000. AM Best gives IAIC an A-. 

Oregon Health Insurance Laws

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all Americans have health insurance or pay a fine. While the fine portion of the act no longer exists, you still must have health insurance. You can get health insurance through your employer or through a health insurance provider either directly or using healthcare.gov. 

You have questions. The ACA and Oregon law have answers: 

• Who can get health insurance? Everyone. Even people with preexisting conditions can get health insurance. 
• What about dependents? If an insurance company (or an employer that offers health insurance) offers dependent coverage, it must continue that coverage for adult children until they’re 26 years old. It doesn’t matter if the adult children are married or have coverage available directly to them through their employer. 
• Employers with less than 50 full-time employees do not have to offer health insurance. Employers with 50 or more full-time employees must offer health insurance. 

Getting health insurance for the first time on your own can be daunting. When it comes to health insurance, there’s no shortage of options. But, don’t panic. Get to know the best health insurance options. Here’s how to get health insurance. It’s always good to know about the best health insurance. And it’s also good to know that you can get affordable health insurance. If you’re looking to fill a gap in your health insurance coverage, read on. 

What is Short Term Health Insurance? 

Short term health insurance is just like traditional health insurance but for a shorter amount of time. While short term health insurance fills a gap in coverage it doesn’t replace regular health insurance. It’s meant to be a temporary solution to help fill a void in coverage. It’s a low-cost, low coverage plan.  

Short term health insurance typically doesn’t cover things like preventive care, substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs and maternity care. Typically, short term insurance lasts up to 36 months. However, short term health insurance in Oregon cannot last more than 90 days. And, you can’t renew or buy a new plan within 60 days of ending a short term plan. 

Who Needs Short Term Health Insurance?

Here are some reasons why you might consider a short term health plan:

• You’re in-between jobs and COBRA is too expensive.
• You’ve turned 26 and your parents’ insurance can no longer cover you.
• You’re waiting for coverage to begin.
• You’re waiting for Medicare benefits to begin.
• You’re under court order to provide coverage for your dependents.
• You’ve recently exited the military and need additional coverage.
• You need coverage for adult dependents.

You might be thinking, “What’s the big deal to go without health insurance? I’m healthy.” You may be healthy, but when’s the last time you scheduled an accident or illness? Life is full of surprises. Some good and some bad. An accident or illness doesn’t happen when it’s convenient. And if you’re caught without health insurance your pain will be a lot worse if you’ve got to add medical bills to your trauma. 

When Can You Enroll for Short Term Health Insurance?

Because the purpose of short term insurance is to fill a gap rather than replace regular coverage, you can’t purchase it during the ACA open enrollment period for the next year. The ACA open enrollment period is Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. So, if you’re looking for short health insurance Oregon beginning in January 2023, you need to purchase it after Dec. 16, 2022.

Where Can You Enroll for Short Term Health Insurance? 

Before you enroll for short term health insurance, you need to do some work. Research providers in your area and get quotes. That will help narrow your choices and find the plan that works for you and your budget. The quickest and easiest place to enroll for short term health insurance is right in your own home. Yes, you can enroll for many plans online. (You can even enroll in your pajamas if you like.)

Life Happens, Be Prepared 

As the old saying goes, life happens when we’re busy making other plans. Don’t risk your health or financial security. Be prepared for the unexpected accident or illness. Bridge your gap in health insurance coverage with short term health insurance. We’ve given you a start so you can begin your search with purpose. You can also use the handy Benzinga quote tool. 

Going without health care coverage is like stepping outside in the rainy season without a hood. It just doesn’t make sense. Short term health insurance helps get you prepared to weather life’s little storms.

Frequently Asked Questions