300+ [UPDATED] Short Term Insurance Interview Questions

1. What Is Short Term Insurance?

Short-term insurance is health coverage typically available for periods from 30 days through 12 months. These plans can give you some protection for limited periods while you are between standard health insurance coverage, also known as major medical insurance.

2. What Short-term Plans Cover?

Short-term plans often do cover:

• Unexpected illness and injury.
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
• Emergency room visits.

3. What Short-term Plans Don’t Cover?

Short-term health plans typically don’t cover pre-existing conditions, preventive care, pregnancy and maternity, immunizations, dental appointments, vision care, foot care, and certain other services.

You should always consult your specific plan details to see what medical conditions and treatments are covered or excluded.

4. When Short-term Plans Can Be Appropriate?

Short-term policies are not intended as permanent health insurance coverage, nor do they comply with the Affordable Care Act.

Short-term plans may be suitable if you:

• Missed open enrollment for the year, and don’t qualify for a special enrollment period
• Lost your job or got laid off
• Need quick proof of insurance for a special activity or trip
• Are waiting for your Medicare coverage to begin.
• You can purchase short-term insurance for periods ranging from 30 days through 12 months.
• Short-term plans are not guaranteed-issue; you will have to answer a medical questionnaire about your health status and history and your coverage will depend on your answers.
• Again, short-term plans are usually not suited to people with pre-existing conditions, as those aren’t covered.

5. Is Short-term Health Insurance The Same As Obamacare?

Short-term policies don’t satisfy the requirements for minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

The Obamacare major medical plans do offer minimum essential coverage, which includes (but isn’t limited to) preventive care, outpatient care, pregnancy and maternity, mental health, and prescription drugs.

Because short-term plans don’t offer this coverage, you won’t meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act; this means you may have to pay a tax penalty.

6. How Do You Supplement Short-term Insurance Coverage?

Supplementing short-term insurance coverage :
If you are concerned that short-term insurance doesn’t offer you enough coverage, you can purchase additional catastrophic insurance plans to supplement your short-term policy.

For example, accident insurance can offer coverage in case of certain accidents and injuries, and critical-illness insurance can provide you with a lump sum of cash in the event you are diagnosed with certain serious illnesses. And fixed-benefit indemnity medical insurance can give you a cash payout in case of covered medical needs.

Cash payouts from catastrophic insurance plans can give you a way to pay medical bills and replace lost income in case you experience a covered claim.

7. What Is A Short Term Health Insurance Plan?

Short Term health insurance plans do not meet the minimum essential coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, and may result in a tax penalty. They are designed solely to provide temporary health care insurance during unexpected coverage gaps.

8. How Does Short-term Health Insurance Work?

Short-term health insurance is designed to provide coverage for a short period of time as compared to standard insurance. Coverage for these policies are usually from six to 12 months. However, some plans can be as short as one month.

9. Why Would I Need Short-term Health Insurance?

Yes. When filling out the claim form, put your name and information in the claimant information section. If there is no separate space for claimant information, you can include a cover letter with your information.

10. What Happens If I Still Need Insurance After My Short-term Policy Expires?

You may re-apply for another short-term plan. However, new plans normally do not resume continuation of your first plan. Also, a company may only allow you to re-apply once so coverage does not exceed 12 months. So it’s important to check with your carrier to review the coverage on the next plan.

11. What Does Short Term Health Insurance Cover?

Short-term health insurance plans provide limited benefits designed to protect you and your family against unforeseen illnesses or accidents. They do not provide comprehensive coverage for medical services like physical exams, dental and vision care.

12. Are Pre-existing Conditions Covered With Short Term Medical Insurance?

Pre-existing conditions are typically not covered with short term medical insurance.

13. What Is The Application Process For Short-term Health Insurance?

The application process for short-term health insurance is typically straightforward and simpler than that of a comprehensive coverage plan and can be done online. In most cases, you will be notified if you qualify for short-term coverage once you complete your application. As a result, the approval process is faster.

14. What Should I Do If I Only Need Coverage For Less Than 30 Days?

Your short-term health insurance plan coverage will start on the effective date stated in your policy. If you want your coverage to start later, you can select a date up to 30 days in the future.

15. What Should I Do If I Happen To Get A Longer-term Insurance Policy Later?

You should review the policy details under the Free Look Period. If satisfied, contact the provider of your short-term health insurance plan to cancel the short-term policy. 

16. When My Short-term Policy Expires, Can I Renew Or Extend It To Continue Coverage?

Unfortunately you are not able to renew a short-term health insurance plan. But, you may be able to apply for a new policy once your current policy expires. You should check with your carrier before your policy expires to make sure there is a viable option as some states do not allow you to reapply.

17. Am I Able To Add Coverage For My Spouse And Children On A Short-term Medical Insurance Plan?

Your spouse (under 65 years of age) and dependents (under 19 years of age) are eligible for coverage, as long as they meet the same underwriting requirements. You can also get coverage for unmarried children under 25 years of age if they are enrolled full-time in an accredited school or college. Eligibility for children ages 19 through 25 may vary by state.

18. Can I Get Coverage For Female Preventive Care Visits Under A Short-term Plan?

You should check your benefits carefully, a carrier may not be required to include this benefit in your state.

19. How Do I Know If I’m Eligible For Hcc Life Insurance Company’s Short-term Medical Insurance Policy?

STM Complete’s eligibility requirements state that you must be between 2 through 64 years of age and meet the following requirements:

•  You will not be covered by another medical insurance plan at the time of your requested effective date.
•  You are not pregnant.
•  If requesting dependent coverage, you are not an expectant father or planning to adopt.
•  You are not a member of the armed forces of any country, state or international organization, other than on reserve duty for 30 days or less.

20. Is Prescription Medication Covered Under Short-term Plans?

Coverage plans will vary by carrier. Under HCC Life Insurance Company’s STM Complete plan, inpatient charges for prescription drugs will be covered. However, it does not cover for outpatient prescription medications.

21. Can I Get Coverage For Female Preventive Care Visits Under A Short-term Medical Plan?

You should check your benefits carefully, a carrier may not be required to include this benefit in your state.

22. Where Can I Get The Required Claims Forms For Ihc Stm Secure Or Lite Short-term Health Insurance Plans?

Upon approval of your application, the claim forms as well as any other documents you might need will be included with the fulfillment kit.

23. Why Would I Want Coverage For A Short Period Of Time?

If you’re between jobs, waiting for coverage from another health insurance plan to start, laid off, on strike, a recent college graduate or seasonal employee and know that you only need coverage for a specific period of time, short-term health insurance may be a great option for you.

24. How Soon Can Short Term Medical Begin?

Your short term medical coverage can begin the next day if you apply on the internet using a credit card or auto bank debit, as long as the eligibility criteria is met. If you decide to mail your application with a check, the earliest your STM policy can begin is the next day following the U.S. Postal Service postmark. (As long as eligibility requirements are met and application is legible.)

All transmissions take place and are recorded based on the time and date in the Central Time Zone. For example, if you submit your application on-line at or after 10:00 p.m. on March 15th from a location in the Pacific Time Zone, the time of the transmission will be at or after 12:00 a.m. Central Time. The transmission date of your application will be March 16th.

25. If I Don’t Qualify For A Short Term Plan, Will My Credit Card Still Get Charged?

No. If you choose to use a credit card, your card will only be charged if you qualify for short-term coverage. Please note that credit card billing of premiums is optional and you can obtain coverage without using that method of payment.

26. How Will I Know If I Qualify For Short Term Medical Coverage?

In most cases, as soon as you complete the application, the insurance company will notify you online if do not qualify.

27. Will Purchasing A Short Term Medical Plan Make It Harder For Me To Get Coverage In The Future For A Pre-exisiting Medical Condition?

No. Short Term Medical actually makes it easier to get coverage from an employer in the future. It is generally considered creditable coverage and can prevent a break in coverage and help satisfy any pre-existing condition periods.

28. Do Short Term Medical Plans Include Dental And Vision Benefits?

No. Short-term health insurance plans are designed to protect you in the event of an unexpected illness or injury and are not intended to cover dental and vision care. Short-term health insurance plans are for temporary coverage only and therefore do not include some of the benefits offered by standard, longer-term heath insurance plans.