Can I still get 6-month health insurance?

Looking for a 6-month health insurance plan to help a temporary gap?

You’re not alone. Short-term health insurance (also called short term limited duration insurance) is designed to give people flexible, temporary coverage when life changes leave them without a plan.

But here’s the tricky part: The rules for short-term health insurance have changed more than once in recent years.

Here’s what you need to know about short-term health insurance in 2025.¹

What happened to 6-month health insurance?

Not long ago, short-term plans could last up to 12 months and be renewed for up to 36 months in many states. Then, in September 2024, new rules cut those options way down:²

• Initial contract: 3 months
• Maximum coverage: 3 months in a 12-month period (with a 1-month extension)

That meant a 6-month health insurance plan was no longer an option.

Not what you wanted to hear, right? Fortunately, rules for short-term insurance have changed…again.

The 2025 update: Short-term rules under review

In August 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury announced they would not prioritize enforcement of the 2024 limits while they review short-term health insurance rules.¹

What does this mean for you?

• Some insurers may again offer 6-month health insurance plans (and possibly longer).
• Availability depends on your state, since some states may still restrict or ban short-term health insurance.
• Options may vary until final federal guidance is issued.

When a 6-month health insurance plan makes sense

A 6-month health insurance plan could help bridge a gap in coverage if you:

• Are unemployed, furloughed, or laid off temporarily
• Are waiting for new employer benefits to begin
• Retired early and need coverage before Medicare starts
• Recently left the military
• Missed the deadline to enroll in a plan through the Affordable Care Marketplace

Before you enroll in a 6-month health insurance plan…

Short-term health insurance can help when other options are unavailable or limited. But it works differently than an employer plan or plan available through the ACA Marketplace.

Before you enroll in a 6-month health insurance plan, keep these points in mind:

• Not offered everywhere. When rules for short-term health insurance changed in 2024, some states banned short-term plans.
• Pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Most insurers require a health questionnaire and can deny coverage based on your health history.
• Benefits are limited. Preventive care, maternity, prescriptions, and mental health services may not be included in short-term plans.

4 tips to find short-term health insurance

If you’re looking for a 6-month health insurance plan or short-term plan with longer coverage options, these four tips will help you find out what’s available:

1. Contact a licensed health insurance agent in your state
2. Find out if short-term insurance is available in your state
3. Compare your options for short-term insurance vs. plans available through the ACA Marketplace
4. Before you enroll, review coverage details, premiums, deductibles, and other costs

Not sure what’s available in your area? Call (800) 827-9990 to speak with a licensed health insurance agent or find a licensed health insurance agent near you.