Immediate health insurance coverage: 8 quick answers

Looking for immediate health insurance coverage?

You’ve got options. But there are a bunch of questions to consider before finding a plan that works for you based on your circumstances.

In this article, you’ll get answers to the top 8 questions about how to apply for immediate health insurance coverage:

1. Can I get medical insurance today?
2. What is a Special Enrollment Period?
3. What is the Open Enrollment Period?
4. How much do Affordable Care Act plans cost?
5. What is short-term medical insurance, and what does it cover?
6. How much does short-term health insurance cost?
7. Can you get temporary health insurance between jobs?
8. How do I apply for healthcare coverage quickly?

Just one more question. Are you ready to get started?

Here are 8 quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about immediate health insurance coverage.

1. Can I get immediate health insurance coverage today?

You can apply for health insurance coverage today. But in most cases, your plan may not be active right away.

Short-term limited duration plans

If you need immediate health insurance coverage, short-term limited duration plans can typically start as soon as the day after you apply. You can also choose your start date for a short-term medical or health insurance plan.¹

• In 2024, federal rules limited short-term health insurance plans to an initial contract of three months with a one-month extension.²
• But in August 2025, federal agencies announced they would not prioritize enforcement of those limits while the rules are under review.³

This means some insurers may once again offer plans lasting up to 12 months, renewable for a maximum of nearly 36 months in states that allow them.

Note: These plans are medically underwritten and you must be approved for coverage.

Affordable Care Act Plans

If you want a comprehensive health insurance plan, like an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan, you will need to wait until the Open Enrollment Period starts (or you become eligible for a Special Enrollment Period).

Even in those time periods, your coverage may not start until the beginning of the next month (or the first day of the next year).

2. What is a Special Enrollment Period?

A Special Enrollment Period is a 60-day window where qualifying individuals and families can enroll in Affordable Care Act plans outside of the Open Enrollment Period.⁴

You could qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve experienced specific events, including (but not limited to):

• Getting married
• Having a baby
• Getting a divorce
• Relocating, or…
• Losing your health insurance

Federal and state marketplaces can also open Special Enrollment Periods that do not require individual life events.

• During these extended Special Enrollment Periods, you can also apply for an ACA health insurance plan outside of the Open Enrollment Period.

3. What is the Open Enrollment Period?

The Open Enrollment Period is an annual window of time when most Americans can apply for a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

• It takes place from November 1 through January 15.
• This is the only time when you can apply for a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period.
• Some states with their own health insurance marketplace exchanges have different date ranges for their Open Enrollment Period.⁵

4. How much do Affordable Care Act plans cost?

Affordable Care Act plan costs can vary based on:⁶

• Your age
• Size of your household
• Where you live in the United States
• The plan that you select, and…
• Whether or not you use tobacco

What you can expect to pay…

• Without premium tax credits. The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act plan without premium tax credits in 2025 is $497.⁷
• With premium tax credits. Four out of five people can find a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace for $10 or less a month after tax credits are applied.⁸ Premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, and may not be available in 2026.

All Affordable Care Act health plans are required to cover 10 essential benefits, which can include (but aren’t limited to):⁹

• Emergency services
• Outpatient care
• Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
• Pregnancy & maternity care
• Mental health & substance use disorder services
• Prescription medicine
• Rehabilitative services
• Laboratory services
• Preventive & wellness services
• Pediatric services (including medical, dental and vision care for children)

5. What is short-term health insurance?

Short-term health insurance is a form of coverage that provides medical services for a limited period of time. And you can apply any time.

If you’re looking for temporary health insurance a short-term plan might be right for you. But it’s important to keep in mind, it’s a short-term solution:

Federal rules

• A 2024 rule capped short-term plans at 3–4 months.²
• However, in August 2025, federal agencies announced they will not prioritize enforcement of those limits while the rules are under review.³

This means longer plans may again be available up to 12 months and renewable for 36 months, depending on state rules.

Limitations

Short-term health plans are not required to comply with certain federal market requirements, such as covering the 10 essential benefits mentioned above.

Medically underwritten

For short-term plans, the insurer evaluates your:

• Health status
• Medical history
• And sometimes lifestyle factors (like smoking)

Before approving coverage or setting premium rates.

Based on your health status, insurers can accept or deny your application, adjust premium rates, or limit or exclude coverage for certain conditions or treatments.

Pre-existing conditions

If you have a preexisting condition, it may not be covered and it could disqualify you for short-term health insurance.

• Short-term health insurance plans are not subject to the same prohibitions on discrimination as Affordable Care Act plans.

Coverage generally includes the basics like emergency hospital services and some visits to the doctor’s office. Some short-term health insurance plans with three terms of nearly 36 months may cover preexisting conditions after the first 12 months.

6. How much does short-term health insurance cost?

The average cost for a short-term health insurance plan is $151 a month.¹⁰

However, the monthly premium for short-term health insurance can vary based on your geographical location in the U.S., income, gender, age, household size, and tobacco usage.

• The big appeal of short-term plans is the cost, as they generally have lower monthly premiums.²

With enforcement of federal limits paused in 2025, some insurers may again offer longer short-term plans in certain states. Availability depends on state regulations.³

7. Can you get temporary health insurance between jobs?

Even though short-term health insurance doesn’t provide the same level of coverage as an Affordable Care Act plan or employer-sponsored plan, there are some pros (especially if you’re between jobs), such as:

Pay lower premiums

• The big appeal of short-term plans is the cost, as they generally have low monthly premiums.

Apply any time

• Short-term health insurance is available year-round, and coverage typically begins within a few days of applying.

Save money

• If you are healthy and rarely need to see the doctor, a short-term plan might work for you.

Note: Depending on state rules, plans may be available for up to 12 months, renewable to a maximum of 36 months.³

8. How do I apply for short-term health insurance coverage?

Here are two easy ways to get started.

1. Give us a call at (800) 827-9990 to speak with a licensed insurance agent, or…
2. Find a licensed insurance agent in your area.

We can help you find available plans, review your options, and apply for short-term health insurance.