Short-term medical coverage, explained clearly

STM can help fill a temporary coverage gap and may be worth considering for some people seeking private coverage. Availability, duration, exclusions, and costs vary by state and plan.

Check my state and situationLearn how it works
  • Private coverage, not government coverage
  • Medical underwriting may apply
  • Benefits and exclusions vary by plan
  • State rules determine availability and duration

Start with your situation

Which of these sounds like you?

Temporary coverage gapSTM may help while you wait for employer coverage, recover from a coverage loss, or reach your next enrollment opportunity.Not eligible for ACA subsidiesSome self-employed people, higher earners, and early retirees compare private STM when they would pay full price for ACA coverage.No qualifying eventIf you need coverage now but do not have an ACA qualifying event, STM may be one private option to evaluate.Another private-coverage scenarioIn some states, STM may fit a longer or more specific need, but availability, duration, underwriting, and exclusions determine whether it works.

This may not be a good fit if...

The honest signals, before any tool or quote asks for your information.

  • You have pre-existing conditions or ongoing treatment

  • You need pregnancy or maternity coverage

  • You have planned procedures or regular specialist care

  • You take regular prescriptions that STM plans may exclude

  • You need comprehensive ACA protections

Check your state and situation

Seven quick steps: your state's rules, your timing, and whether STM could fit your health needs. Educational routing only; never an underwriting decision.

Step 1 of 7

First, let's see what short-term medical coverage is available where you live.

We'll check your state-specific rules and market.

Understand before you choose

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Common questions

Prefer to talk it through?

Compare your options with guided help. Free to use, no obligation.

See my plan options

This content is for general educational purposes and is not insurance, legal, tax, or medical advice. Short-term medical plans are not all alike: availability, eligibility, benefits, exclusions, costs, duration, renewal rights, and claims rules vary by state, plan, issuer, and individual circumstances. Review official plan documents and consider available ACA Marketplace or public-program options before enrolling. Pivot Health, an STM provider, is owned by Healthcare.com and develops and markets products with carrier partners including Pan-American Life Insurance Company, The North River Insurance Company, and Companion Life Insurance Company. Provider-neutral education; sources reviewed for 2026.

Medicare plans

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 7 organizations which offer 3,188 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Looking for a health insurance quote?

This is a solicitation for insurance. HealthCare.com is a non-government website operated by HealthCare.com Insurance Services, LLC, a licensed health insurance agency. Depending on your selections, we may present health and Medicare-related insurance products, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, short-term medical insurance, indemnity and other supplemental insurance, dental and vision plans, and Medicare plans, as well as information about health savings accounts (HSAs). Qualified ACA plans must meet or exceed the essential health benefit requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Non-ACA plans, including short-term medical and indemnity plans, are not required to cover all essential health benefits, are not comprehensive health coverage, and are not available in all states. Pre-existing condition provisions, benefits, limitations, and exclusions vary by plan type and state. Review all plan details and product brochures before you buy.

Open Enrollment for 2027 ACA coverage on HealthCare.gov runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Dates vary in states that run their own marketplace. To enroll in ACA coverage outside Open Enrollment, you must qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions is based on household income, household size, and plan availability in your area. The enhanced premium tax credits that were in effect from 2021 through 2025 expired on December 31, 2025. For plan year 2027, premium tax credits follow the standard rules under Internal Revenue Code §36B, which generally limit eligibility to households with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Under these rules, eligible households are expected to contribute between 2.15% and 10.22% of household income toward the cost of a benchmark silver plan (IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26). Premiums, plan availability, and subsidy amounts vary by income, household size, age, and location. Final eligibility and premium tax credit amounts are determined by the Health Insurance Marketplace. If your actual income differs from your estimate, you may have to repay some or all of any advance premium tax credit when you file your taxes. Federal legislation affecting premium tax credits may change these amounts.

*87% of Marketplace enrollees received a premium tax credit in 2026. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2026. Health Insurance Exchanges 2026 Open Enrollment Report.

+Plan availability varies by location.

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