UnitedHealthcare short-term health insurance is temporary medical coverage for healthy people who need to fill a gap. Terms run 1 month to just under 12 months, depending on your state. TriTerm plans last nearly 3 years.
These plans are not ACA coverage, and they generally don't cover pre-existing conditions. Below, you'll see how they work, where Vivna offers them and who they fit. Questions? Call 888-730-6031.
- Short Term Medical runs 1 month to just under 12 months, varies by state and isn't renewable.
- TriTerm Medical covers nearly 3 years over three terms with one application.
- You must answer health questions, and plans generally exclude pre-existing conditions.
- These plans don't qualify for premium tax credits and aren't minimum essential coverage.
- Vivna offers them only in approved states, listed below.
How Does UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Health Insurance Work?
You apply, answer medical questions and, if approved, get coverage for a set term. When the term ends, the coverage ends too. Think of it as UnitedHealthcare temporary health insurance, not a yearly plan.
Golden Rule Insurance Company, a UnitedHealthcare company, underwrites these plans. It has offered short-term coverage for over 35 years, according to UnitedHealthcare's short-term page.
UnitedHealthcare sells some plans as association group coverage through FACT, an independent association. Membership fees may apply.
Benefits vary by plan and state. Some plans include limited preventive care, prescription coverage or virtual visits. For a side-by-side look at both coverage types, see our pillar guide on short-term vs. ACA plans.
Short Term Medical vs. TriTerm Medical: What's the Difference?
The main difference is length. UnitedHealthcare Short Term Medical covers a few months, while TriTerm Medical covers nearly three years with one application.
| Feature | Short Term Medical | TriTerm Medical |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1 month to just under 12 months, or less where state law caps it | Nearly 3 years over three terms (one day less than 3 years) |
| Renewable? | No; coverage ends on the certificate date | One application covers all three terms |
| Health questions | Yes, medically underwritten | Yes, medically underwritten |
| Pre-existing conditions | Generally not covered | No benefits for them in the first 12 months |
| Premiums | Set for the term | Expected to change for terms two and three |
| Where Vivna offers it | 29 approved states | 15 approved states |
Sources: UnitedHealthcare short-term page and UnitedHealthcare TriTerm Medical page. Term lengths, design and availability vary by state, as the state tables below show.
TriTerm also has a six-month wait before preventive care benefits begin. For more detail, read our guide to tri-term vs. short-term coverage or visit our TriTerm health insurance page.
A licensed Vivna agent can check UnitedHealthcare short-term plans in your state and compare ACA options. Call 888-730-6031 or request a free quote.
Where Does Vivna Offer UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Health Insurance?
Vivna offers UnitedHealthcare short-term health insurance in 29 approved states. However, the longest term depends on each state's law.
| Short Term Medical term | States where Vivna offers it |
|---|---|
| 1 month to just under 12 months | AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, MO, MS, TN, TX, UT, WI, WV, WY |
| 1 month up to 364 days | IN, NE, OH, OK |
| 2 or 3 months to just under 12 months | LA (2-month minimum), IA (3-month minimum) |
| Up to just under 12 months | KS |
| Up to 11 months | SC |
| Up to 6 months | MI, MT, NH |
| Up to 185 days | NV |
| Up to 3 months | NC, PA, VA |
Sources: uhc.com state pages and state insurance rules. Plan lengths and benefits still vary within each state.
In Virginia, options are limited, and sales pause during Open Enrollment. Vivna offers TriTerm Medical in 15 of the 29 states.
| TriTerm Medical length | States where Vivna offers it |
|---|---|
| Nearly 3 years over three terms | AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NE, TN, WV |
| Three 364-day terms | IN |
| Three 11-month terms, about 33 months | SC |
Federal limits on plan length are also in flux.
A recent federal rule capped short-term plans at four months in total. Later, federal officials said enforcing it was no longer a priority. As a result, allowed lengths now vary by state, as healthinsurance.org explains.
In Arizona, for example, see our Arizona health insurance options page for local short-term details.
Who Is a Good Fit for a UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Plan?
These plans usually fit healthy people under 65 who need a bridge, not a long-term plan. UnitedHealthcare lists several common situations.
- Missed open enrollment: you have no qualifying life event and need coverage until the next window.
- Waiting for other coverage: a new job plan or ACA plan hasn't started yet.
- Turning 26: you're leaving a parent's plan.
- Between jobs: you want a lower-cost bridge.
- Bridging to Medicare: you're close to 65.
People earning over the subsidy cliff often look here too, since they pay full price for ACA plans. Still, if you qualify for a tax credit, an ACA plan may cost less. Our guide on short-term coverage after open enrollment covers timing.
What Doesn't a UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Plan Cover?
Pre-existing conditions are the biggest gap. Short-term plans also don't have to cover the ACA's essential health benefits.
- Pre-existing conditions: generally excluded, and TriTerm pays no benefits for them in the first 12 months.
- Essential health benefits: plans often limit or exclude maternity, mental health and drug coverage.
- Dollar limits: lifetime or annual limits may apply.
- Tax credits: you can't use premium subsidies on UHC short-term plans.
- Special enrollment: losing a short-term plan doesn't open an ACA enrollment window.
Short-term coverage is not minimum essential coverage under the ACA. For a closer look, read what short-term plans cover and our page on pre-existing condition rules.
UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Health Insurance FAQs
How fast can a UnitedHealthcare short-term plan start?
Start dates depend on your state and the plan you choose. Many people apply a few days before they need coverage.
Your agent can confirm the earliest start date when you apply. Remember, the plan is not ACA coverage, may exclude pre-existing conditions and requires health questions.
Can I use my doctors on a UnitedHealthcare short-term plan?
Possibly. TriTerm benefits apply when you use a network provider, and network rules vary by plan. So, check each doctor and any specialist you see before you buy.
Our UnitedHealthcare network guide explains how to search providers. An agent can also run the search with you on the phone.
How much does UnitedHealthcare short-term coverage cost?
Prices depend on your age, ZIP code, term, deductible and health answers. UnitedHealthcare says you may save money compared with other coverage. However, an ACA plan with a tax credit can cost less.
Our UnitedHealthcare short-term FAQ library answers more pricing questions.
Next Steps for UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Health Insurance
UnitedHealthcare short-term health insurance can bridge a gap if you're healthy and live in an approved state. First, decide how long you need coverage. Next, compare it with an ACA plan, especially if you may qualify for a tax credit.
Ready to compare? Call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. You can also visit our short-term health insurance page or our UnitedHealthcare plans page.
Sources
- UnitedHealthcare: Short term health insurance
- UnitedHealthcare: TriTerm Medical insurance
- healthinsurance.org: Short-term health insurance
Related Guides
- Short-term vs. ACA coverage
- How long short-term coverage lasts
- COBRA vs. short-term coverage
- UnitedHealthcare plan options
About the author: Michael Sprague
Michael co-founded Vivna Insurance, a licensed independent agency in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He has worked in health insurance sales for more than a decade. Today, he helps families and self-employed clients compare marketplace, short-term and supplemental plans. Licensed health insurance agent, Vivna Insurance (Agency NPN 19168641). Call 888-730-6031.
Reviewed by Heather Sprague, licensed health insurance agent.
Vivna Insurance is a licensed independent agency, not a government website. Our help is free; we are paid by the insurance companies we work with. Short-term plans are not ACA coverage, may exclude pre-existing conditions and require health questions. Plan availability and terms vary by state.
Find Local Health Insurance Help
Plans, prices and help programs change by state and even by county. These local guides show what is available near you.
More local help: the Florida health insurance guide, plus guides for Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and every state we serve.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 888-730-6031 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, for free help from a licensed agent.
