Short-Term Health Insurance Plans in Indiana

Short-Term Health Insurance Plans in Indiana: What You Need to Know

At AnchorPoint Insurance, we understand that life has transitions—such as job changes, waiting for other coverage, or temporary gaps. That’s when short-term health insurance plans in Indiana can help you stay protected. In this article, we explain what these plans are, how they work, what their limits are, when they’re useful, and how to pick one that makes sense for you.

What Is Short-Term Health Insurance?

Short-term health insurance is temporary coverage designed to bridge gaps in your health insurance. It helps protect against unexpected medical costs when you’re between jobs, waiting for employer coverage to start, or otherwise temporarily uninsured.

We see these plans offering:

Coverage for hospitalization, lab services, emergencies, and ambulatory patient services.
An initial term of up to 364 days in Indiana, with possible renewals up to a total of 36 months, under older rules. But recent federal updates limit new short-term policies issued after September 1, 2024, to no more than 4 months total duration, including renewals.
Required minimum annual benefit limits of around $2 million per person in Indiana.

We want you to understand what these plans provide—and what they don’t—so you’re never surprised.

Thinking of a short-term plan to fill your coverage gap? Contact us at AnchorPoint Insurance, and we’ll help you see whether it’s the right fit.

How Indiana Regulates Short-Term Health Insurance

Indiana has its own rules for short-term plans, some matching federal guidelines, others with state-specific requirements. We stay up-to-date so we can guide you correctly.

Here’s what you should know:

The state law passed in 2019 (House Bill 1631) allowed short-term plans to have initial terms up to 364 days and renewals that could push total coverage up to 36 months.
However, federal regulations effective September 1, 2024, limited newly issued short-term policies to a maximum of 4 months (including renewals) in all states, unless a state has stricter regulations. Indiana must comply with this.
Indiana requires that short-term plans have annual benefit caps of at least $2 million per person.

These rules ensure short-term plans are more transparent, and you know what protections exist.

Let us review Indiana’s short-term plan options with you so you understand the coverage limits before you enroll.

Pros & Cons of Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

We believe in full transparency. Before you choose a short-term plan, consider both what you gain and what might be missing.

What you get (Pros)

When we recommend a short-term plan, the benefits often include:

Lower monthly premiums compared to full ACA-compliant plans make them more affordable when expenses are tight.
Quick, effective dates: coverage can often start very soon after enrollment.
Flexibility to fill temporary gaps between other coverages.

What you may give up (Cons)

However, these plans have significant limitations:

They are not required to cover all ten Essential Health Benefits (EHBs) under the ACA. Indiana short-term plans must only cover at least 4 of the 10 EHBs (hospitalization, emergency services, lab services, ambulatory patient services).
Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered. If you’ve had medical conditions before you apply, you may be denied coverage or face exclusions.
High deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums: though premiums are low, you may pay tens of thousands of dollars before certain benefits kick in.
Limited or no coverage for services like maternity, mental health, and prescription drugs, depending onthe plan.
To avoid surprises, let us compare short-term vs ACA-compliant plans based on your medical history and coverage needs.

When Short-Term Plans Make Sense—and When They Don’t

Not every situation is ideal for short-term coverage. We help you decide if it’s appropriate for your specific scenario.

Situations where short-term plans may be helpful

Between jobs or waiting for employer-based coverage to begin.
If you missed Open Enrollment and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may still need coverage.
Short-term travel, temporary relocation, or waiting for Medicare eligibility.

Situations where you should avoid short-term plans

If you have ongoing medical needs or chronic conditions.
If you depend on services such as mental health, maternity care, or prescription drugs.
If you want protection against pre-existing condition exclusions.
If you need maximum peace of mind and a broad provider network.

We can run numbers for both short-term and full plans to show you cost differences and coverage trade-offs so you can make the best decision for you.

How to Get Short-Term Health Insurance Quotes in Indiana

We make this process simple and clear. Here’s how we help you navigate the quote process.

Gather your personal details (age, ZIP code, income, medical history).
Check the plan duration: Under current rules, new short-term plans are limited to 4 months. Ask whether renewals are allowed.
Compare benefit coverage: see what essential services are included—emergency, hospitalization, labs, ambulatory, etc.
Assess deductibles, copays, and maximum out-of-pocket costs to see real costs if something serious happens.
Check the provider network and whether your doctors are accepted.

We’ll provide several competing quotes tailored to your needs, so you can clearly see what you’re getting.

Request your free short-term health insurance quotes through AnchorPoint Insurance today—we’ll show you options and help you avoid gaps.

Understanding Special Enrollment & Transition from Medicaid

Sometimes, you don’t need a short-term plan because you qualify for an enrollment exception or state program. We help you see those opportunities so you can get more complete coverage.

Indiana offers a Special Enrollment Period through HealthCare.gov in certain cases—loss of Medicaid/CHIP coverage due to Medicaid Unwinding is one such scenario.
If you lose Medicaid or CHIP, or expect to, you may be eligible to enroll in Marketplace coverage during this Special Enrollment Period.
The Open Enrollment period runs each year from November 1 to January 15 in Indiana for ACA plans.
For HIP (Healthy Indiana Plan), there are some options to transfer from other health coverage or to enroll based on certain life events.
If you recently lost coverage, let our team check whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period before opting for short-term insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long can a short-term plan last in Indiana under current rules?

New short-term health plans issued after Sept 1, 2024, are limited to 4 months total duration, including renewals.

2. Do short-term plans cover pre-existing conditions?

No—they typically exclude pre-existing conditions. If you’ve had a condition before enrollment, it likely won’t be covered.

3. Which essential health benefits must Indiana short-term plans include?

They must cover at least hospitalization, emergency services, ambulatory patient services, and lab services.

4. What is the minimum benefit cap required in Indiana?

Short-term plans must have a minimum annual coverage limit of $2 million per person.

5. Can I enroll in an ACA plan instead of a short-term plan if I lost Medicaid?

Yes—if you lose Medicaid or CHIP, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period through the Marketplace.

Final Thoughts

We at AnchorPoint Insurance believe short-term health insurance plans in Indiana can be valuable in certain circumstances—but they’re not a replacement for comprehensive coverage if you need it. We’ll help you weigh cost, coverage limits, and your health needs to decide what’s best.

You deserve a plan that protects you—not surprises you. Whether it’s bridging a gap or preparing for long-term ACA coverage, we’re here to guide you.

Let’s explore your options together—reach out now to get short-term vs long-term plan comparisons tailored to your situation.

Disclaimers*

This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. For guidance tailored to your needs, please speak with a licensed advisor at AnchorPoint Insurance.

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