Buy Temporary Health Insurance

Category : Insurance

Here's how to make sure your medical expenses are covered while you are waiting for permanent health coverage to become effective.

Find an agent specializing in health insurance
Calculate the number of days until your permanent group or individual health insurance takes effect.

Tell the agent you want a temporary health and accident insurance plan to take effect immediately and cover you for that number of days. If you can afford it, set a high deductible to reduce your premium.

Read all coverage information carefully, taking special note of the "exclusions" section - those are the areas where you will have to "self-insure. " Be careful not to buy coverage with a list of exclusions so extensive that it doesn't cover much of anything.

Sign the paperwork, make sure you get a copy of everything, and give the agent a premium check made out to the insurance company.

Check your policy carefully when it arrives to make sure all your personal information is correct and that you are covered during the period for which you applied.

Extend your coverage by buying additional temporary insurance if the effective date of your permanent health plan is delayed.

Coverage usually ends at midnight on the last day of the term specified, and there is nothing further you have to do after it terminates.