---
title: "Short Term Medical Insurance | ESI"
description: "What short term medical plans are, how they became a longer-term option in some states, and the two profiles (higher income, good health) they tend to fit…"
url: https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/short-term-medical
dateModified: 2026-10-06
---

# Short Term Medical Insurance

Short Term Medical

## Short Term Medical Insurance Is An Alternative To The Marketplace

Few people know about insurance polices known as Short Term Medical plans. They have a pretty interesting history and they actually can be good fits for the right situation. However, they are not a fit for everybody. Short Term plans originally were created to cover an individual that needed insurance on a very short term basis (hence the name Short Term Medical). At their birth, they would cover somebody for usually a few months at a time often times in a situation like if someone was in-between jobs and had a gap of insurance for possibly a few months.

​For the longest time they were never looked at as anything more than that. In the last 5 years plus however, they have started to be looked at as a viable long term insurance option for people who meet certain parameters and find themselves in certain situations. What we are seeing now is plans in some areas that will cover people for up to 2-3 years at a time and provide much more of a long term solution if work insurance isn't an option and a subsidy is not possible on the marketplace under the ACA (affordable care act).

## When Are Short Term Plans A Good Option?

I would describe the perfect candidate for a short term medical plan as follows:

- High income: Why does this matter? It is actually quite simple. The higher the income, the less likely someone is to qualify for a premium subsidy under a Marketplace plan with the Affordable Care Act guidelines. In most areas, if you compare a marketplace plans monthly cost without assistance with that of a Short Term Medical Policy, it is usually more favorable on the Short Term policy. Marketplace plans without subsidy's can often times be rather expensive. If you qualify for a premium subsidy however and are not in a higher tax bracket, a marketplace plan would likely make more sense for you.
- Good health: Why does this matter? Well, Short Term Medical plans do come with some kind of health questions and underwriting so it can affect your eligibility. On top of that, Short Term Medical plans also have more limitations on covering things such as pre-existing conditions, preventative care, and more. If you have lingering health concerns, you are likely going to be better off on a marketplace plan because they do not have these limitations and are not allowed to ask you health questions.

### Hours of Operation

**MON – FRI**9:30am – 5:00pm

**SAT & SUN**We are closed

**Short term medical is a temporary, medically underwritten plan that fits two profiles:** people whose income is too high for a Marketplace subsidy, and people in good health who can accept limits on pre-existing conditions and preventive care. If you qualify for a subsidy, a Marketplace plan almost always wins.

## Questions people ask about Short Term Medical Insurance

**What is short term medical insurance?**

**Who is short term medical a good fit for?**

**Who should avoid a short term medical plan?**

Last updated: October 6, 2026 · Reviewed by [Christian Brindle, CEO and Founder](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/about-us#christian-brindle). Published by the Everything Senior Insurance Data Desk.