Short-Term Health Insurance in Texas - Coverage for Gaps of 30 Days to 36 Months

Texas allows short-term health insurance plans of up to 36 months, one of the longest limits in the country. We compare short-term medical plans from top carriers against your budget and coverage needs.

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Trusted by hundreds of Texans. Proven by Results.

This is a Good Fit If You’re

Between Jobs

Laid off, resigned, or waiting on a new employer plan? Cover the gap without paying $600+/month for COBRA.

Aging Off a Parent’s Plan (Age 26)

Bridge coverage between your 26th birthday and Open Enrollment. Plans starting under $100/month.

Waiting for Open Enrollment

Missed the November-January window and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period? A short-term plan holds you until January 1.

Self-Employed & Testing a Business

Just left a W-2 job to go solo? Get 12-36 months of coverage while you decide on a permanent plan.

Early Retiree (Under 65)

Retired but not yet Medicare-eligible? Short-term plans can cover the gap without ACA premium spikes.

Traveling or Between Countries

Coming back to Texas after a long trip abroad? Short-term plans work as a bridge until you can enroll in a full plan.

Top Carriers We Work With

What Is Short-Term Health Insurance in Texas?

Short-term health insurance in Texas (sometimes called short-term medical, temporary health insurance, or gap coverage) is a limited-duration insurance policy designed to cover you between major life events, not to replace year-round comprehensive coverage.

That usually means:

1️⃣ Coverage lasts 30 days to 36 months in Texas

Texas allows the maximum federal window for short-term medical plans. Federal rules cap most states at 3 months (per the CMS 2024 rule), but Texas has kept the extended term. You can enroll in a 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, 6-month, 12-month, 18-month, 24-month, or 36-month plan.

2️⃣ Coverage can start as soon as the next day

Unlike ACA plans, there is no waiting for Open Enrollment. You can apply today and be covered by tomorrow, or select any future start date.

3️⃣ Premiums run 40-70% lower than Marketplace ACA plans

A healthy 30-year-old in Texas typically pays $95-$160/month for short-term coverage compared to $300+/month for a Silver-tier ACA plan without a subsidy.

4️⃣ You choose your deductible and coverage limits

Deductibles typically range from $1,000 to $12,500. Coverage limits (the maximum the plan will pay) run from $250,000 to $2,000,000 per plan period.

5️⃣ You must be medically underwritten to qualify

Short-term plans are NOT guaranteed issue. If you have a serious pre-existing condition, you may be denied coverage or your condition may be excluded from coverage.

Short-term health insurance is not a replacement for ACA coverage if you have chronic conditions or need maternity care. It IS a smart bridge if you’re healthy and just need to close a gap.

Check Your Eligibility for Short-Term Health Insurance

When Short-Term Fits, and When Another Marketplace Alternative Works Better

Short-term is one of three private, non-Marketplace routes we help Texans compare. The right one depends on how long you need coverage, whether you have ongoing conditions, and how you earn your income.

Here’s how to choose:

1️⃣ Choose Short-Term if you need to bridge a defined gap

Short-term is built for a specific job: to cover you between jobs, between plans, or between life stages. A tobacco-free 30-year-old in Texas typically pays $95 to $160 a month, coverage can start as soon as the next day, and you can keep the plan for up to 36 months. The trade-off: pre-existing conditions are excluded, and maternity is not covered. If you are healthy and the gap is under three years, this is almost always the cheapest option.

2️⃣ Choose an Association Health Plan if you are self-employed and need ongoing coverage

If you are 1099, freelance, or run your own small business and need real year-round coverage (not a temporary bridge), an association health plan is often the better route. You get a nationwide PPO network, monthly premiums close to short-term rates, and coverage designed for people without an employer plan.

3️⃣ Choose a Private PPO Plan if you have ongoing conditions or need maternity

For active health conditions, planned pregnancy, or ongoing prescriptions, a private PPO plan directly from top carriers gives you full ACA-equivalent benefits without going through the Marketplace. Higher monthly premium than short-term, no pre-existing condition exclusions, and no enrollment windows.

Short-term health insurance is not a replacement for ACA coverage if you have chronic conditions or need maternity care. It IS a smart bridge if you’re healthy and just need to close a gap.

What Short-Term Health Insurance Actually Costs in Texas

Most healthy Texans who come to us for short-term coverage end up paying somewhere between $85 and $175 a month. What moves the number is your age, whether you use tobacco, the deductible you pick, and how long you want the plan to run.

What actually moves your rate:

1️⃣ In your 20s: often $70 to $85 a month

A tobacco-free 25-year-old with a $2,500 deductible often finds short-term coverage around $85 a month. Bump that same 25-year-old to a $5,000 deductible, and the monthly drops closer to $70.

2️⃣ In your 30s: roughly $95 to $105 a month

At age 30, most healthy applicants pay about $105 a month for a $2,500 deductible plan. By 35, that number often falls back near $95 a month once you move to a $5,000 deductible.

3️⃣ Age 45 to 55: about $175 to $315 a month

Age is the biggest lever. A healthy 45-year-old typically pays about $175 a month for a $5,000 deductible plan. At 55, the same coverage runs closer to $315.

4️⃣ Couples and families: about $210 to $310 per household

Couples around age 30 usually pay about $210 a month for two individual short-term policies. A family of three with parents in their early thirties tends to spend about $310 per household.

These are median figures from our book of business in early 2026, not marketing ranges. Your exact rate depends on ZIP code, medical history, and the coverage limit you choose. We pull the actual number side by side on the first call.

Why Texans Love Us

What Do Short-Term Health Plans Cover?

Doctor Visits, ER & Urgent Care

Covered on most plans: doctor visits for new illness or injury, emergency room visits, and urgent care. Short-term plans are built for the unexpected, not routine checkups.

Hospitalization & Surgery

Inpatient hospital stays, surgery, diagnostic labs and imaging, and ambulance services are the core protection of every short-term plan we sell, after you meet your deductible.

Coverage Limits You Choose

Deductibles from $1,000 to $12,500 and coverage limits from $250,000 to $2,000,000 per plan period. You pick the balance between monthly premium and out-of-pocket risk.

Pre-Existing Conditions: Not Covered

Most Texas short-term plans use a 12-month lookback. Any condition treated or diagnosed in the 12 months before enrollment is excluded from benefits.

Maternity & Preventive Care: Limited

Maternity and childbirth are excluded from almost all short-term plans. Preventive care is limited, though some plans include an annual physical. Mental health benefits are limited.

Prescriptions, Dental & Vision

Prescription coverage is limited (smaller formulary, higher copays). Dental and vision are available as low-cost add-ons on most short-term plans.

How It Works (3 Simple Steps)

Tell Us About You

Age, ZIP code, tobacco use, and the approximate start and end dates for coverage. Five minutes by phone or web form.

Compare Your Best Options

We pull short-term plans from top carriers. You see premium, deductible, coverage limit, and network side by side.

Enroll With Help

We complete the application together. Underwriting takes minutes to a few hours in most cases. Coverage can start as soon as the next day.

Good Fit vs Not a Fit (Save Time)

This may be a good fit if:

You are healthy with no chronic conditions or ongoing prescriptions
You need coverage for a defined gap of 30 days to 36 months
You want a real PPO network at less than half the price of COBRA
You are between jobs, waiting for Open Enrollment, or new to self-employment
You want catastrophic-style protection against major medical events

This may NOT be a good fit if:

You have ongoing prescriptions or a chronic condition (diabetes, heart disease, or a cancer history)
You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the next 12 months
You qualify for a premium tax credit that makes the ACA cheaper
Your Qualifying Life Event still lets you enroll in an ACA plan through a Special Enrollment Period

Service Areas

We’re based in Plano and serve Texans across the state. In person across the DFW Metroplex, by phone and video anywhere in Texas.

Check Eligibility and Get Your Options

A 5-minute conversation tells you exactly which plans fit your budget and your doctors. No pressure, no fees, no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Texas allow short-term health insurance?

Yes. Texas allows short-term health insurance plans of up to 36 months (12-month initial term plus renewals). That’s much longer than the federal 3-month cap set by CMS in 2024. Every plan we sell is approved by the Texas Department of Insurance.

What is the best short-term health insurance in Texas?

The best short-term plan depends on your age, deductible tolerance, and how long you need coverage. Cigna and UnitedHealthcare are strong on network breadth. Pivot Health and Everest often win on premium price for healthy applicants under 40. We compare all four in one call.

How much does short-term health insurance cost in Texas per month?

Most healthy Texans pay $85-$175 per month for a 12-month short-term plan, depending on age and deductible. A 30-year-old with a $5,000 deductible often finds coverage under $100/month. Applicants over age 55 typically pay $250-$400.

Does short-term health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

No. Short-term plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Most Texas short-term plans use a 12-month lookback period: any condition treated or diagnosed within the 12 months before enrollment is excluded from benefits. If you have ongoing conditions, COBRA or an ACA plan will better serve you.

Can I renew a short-term health insurance plan in Texas?

Yes. Most Texas short-term plans allow renewal for up to 36 months combined. You renew before your term ends, and pricing may change based on your age and any claims history. There is no guaranteed renewability.

What’s the difference between COBRA and short-term health insurance?

COBRA continues your former employer’s plan and covers pre-existing conditions, but typically costs $500-$700/month. Short-term health insurance is a new limited-duration plan at $95-$175/month that excludes pre-existing conditions. If you’re healthy, short-term is usually 60-75% cheaper.

Can I use short-term health insurance with an HSA?

Usually no. Short-term plans do not qualify as High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) under IRS rules, so you cannot contribute new money to an HSA while enrolled. However, you can still spend existing HSA funds on qualified medical expenses during your short-term coverage.

Are short-term health plans considered "junk insurance"?

Regulators have called some short-term plans “junk insurance” because they can exclude pre-existing conditions and cap coverage. The 2024 CMS rule aimed to federally restrict them, but Texas kept the longer 36-month term. Short-term plans are legitimate protection for healthy applicants who need to bridge a gap. They are not a substitute for ACA coverage if you have ongoing health needs.

Do short-term health plans cover emergency room and hospitalization?

Yes. Most Texas short-term plans cover emergency room visits, ambulance, and hospitalization for new illnesses or injuries after you meet your deductible. Coverage limits typically range from $250,000 to $2 million per plan period. This is the core protection that short-term plans provide.

Do short-term plans cover maternity or mental health?

Typically no. Maternity, childbirth, and complications of pregnancy are excluded from almost all Texas short-term plans. Mental health and substance use disorder benefits are limited or excluded. If you need either, an ACA plan or COBRA will cover you.

Can I get short-term health insurance while unemployed?

Yes. There is no employment requirement. Short-term plans are available to any Texas resident who passes medical underwriting. Many of our clients enroll after a layoff to avoid COBRA’s higher cost.

When does short-term coverage start after I enroll?

Coverage can start as soon as the next day in most cases. You choose the start date during enrollment. If underwriting is straightforward, most applications are approved within a few hours.