Short Term Medical Overview

"I'll only be without coverage for a few months, what could happen?"
"I'm strong and healthy. I don't need insurance."
"An accident will never happen to me."

No one is immune from unexpected accidents. A temporary health plan can protect you and your family from the high cost of medical care resulting from illnesses or injuries that strike when you are between permanent insurance policies. It's a smart way to feel safe.
 

How long can I be covered?

You can get coverage for as few as 30 days or as many as 365* days, depending on the state you live in.

* The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available in some states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.

Who is eligible:

  Healthy individuals between the ages of 30 days and age 64 and 11 months, who have a temporary insurance need.
  Dependent children through age 18 (age 24 if a full-time student).*
Foreign residents living in the U.S. for at least one year at the time of enrollment, with proof of Alien Registration Receipt Card, Visa or other appropriate documentation.

* May vary by state.

Who is not eligible:

  Persons who would be declined for an Individual Medical policy.
  Persons who will turn 65 or become eligible for Medicare during the benefit period.
  Persons who are pregnant.
  Persons seeking coverage while traveling outside of the U.S.
  Persons previously declined by another carrier.

How the Plan Works

Short Term Medical is simple, flexible and affordable. You choose the policy that best meets your needs and budget by selecting from the features below. You can even apply and purchase online and be covered as early as the next day!

Design the Plan That's Right for You

Benefits are paid as follows:

No HMOs or PPOs

Since Short Term Medical is not an HMO or PPO plan, you can choose your doctors and hospitals. No referrals are needed; no out-of-network penalties are incurred.

Additional Savings

You can reduce your medical bills by using the doctors and hospitals participating in PHCS Healthy Directions. Simply call PHCS at 1-800-357-6847 or visit them on the web at www.phcs.com to verify that your doctor or hospital is part of the PHCS Network. When using the web, click on "Find a Provider", then "Start New Search". Under Step #2, choose Healthy Directions/Access Advantage from the drop down menu. At the time of service, present the letter provided by your agent or present your medical identification card with the PHCS logo on it and your provider will bill you at the reduced network rate for services.

Payment Options

With Short Term Medical, you choose the payment option that's best for your temporary need.

Single Payment - Ideal if you know the exact length of time coverage is needed. The minimum number of days you can purchase is 30 and the maximum is 365* days.

Monthly Payment - Ideal if you are unsure how long you need coverage. This "pay as you go" option lets you continue coverage for as long as needed (up to 365 days*) or stop payments and discontinue the plan whenever you want. You make an initial premium payment for 35 days and subsequent monthly payments for 30 days.

* The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available in some states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.

If you pay your initial payment by:

  Automatic credit card and bank account debit - each month, your premium payments will be debited automatically from the account number you provided with your initial payment. Your account will be debited each month until you have reached a total of 6 or 12 months of coverage, depending on the policy you purchase*. If your temporary need ends prior to the 6th or 12th month, call us at 1-800-800-5453 and we will stop the automatic debit. (Please note: 7 days advance notice is required to ensure future debits are stopped.)

  Check - you will receive coupons via the U.S. Postal Service for all subsequent payments. Each month, mail your check with the coupon to Assurant Health. Each coupon pays for an additional 30 days of coverage. Note: No lapse notices are sent.

* The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available in all states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.

Payment Methods

You can pay for your Short Term Medical policy by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or auto bank debit (checking or savings).

When to Choose Short Term Medical

Short Term Medical covers a person for a limited period. If you think you'll need more permanent health coverage, you may want to look at another health insurance option, such as an Individual Medical policy.

Short Term Medical does not cover pre-existing conditions. Because Short Term Medical is designed to cover the unexpected, it does not include coverage for preventive care, physicals, dental or eye care.

The definition of a pre-existing condition varies by state, but in general, Short Term Medical excludes conditions that have been diagnosed or treated within the previous 5 years. If you have an existing medical condition, you may want to see if extending your current insurance to fill a gap in coverage is an option. Employer-sponsored insurance can be extended under a government-regulated option called COBRA.

Purchasing an Additional Short Term Medical Plan*

Time Insurance Company's Short Term Medical plan is not renewable.

However, if your temporary need continues beyond your policy period, you may apply for a new plan under the following circumstances:

  No claims were incurred under a previous Time Insurance Company Short Term Medical plan.

  There has been no significant change in your health.

Any previous or current health condition or symptom will be considered a pre-existing medical condition that will not be covered under a new plan. There is no continuous coverage between plans -- therefore your new plan will not provide benefits for any condition or symptom which began during a previous plan. In addition, no benefits are available for any period in which you are not covered by a Time Insurance Company Short Term Medical plan.

To obtain an additional plan, you must complete a new enrollment form. If the enrollment form is approved, a new plan will be issued.

* Varies by state.

Premium Refunds

We are confident that our Short Term Medical plan will satisfy your temporary health insurance needs. If you are not completely satisfied with the plan, you can return it within 10 days of delivery for a premium refund. Where the one-time application fee applies the fee is non-refundable. Simply put your request in writing and fax it to 414-299-6217 or mail it to: Assurant Health, P.O. Box 3175, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3175.