As unemployment rates rise and companies continue to struggle to meet revenue forecasts, more and more people are feeling less secure about the status of the jobs. For some people, that means moving on to a job they feel offers a more stable future, and for others that can mean eventual unemployment. If you find yourself in either of these groups, you may find health insurance for unemployed to be a valuable option.

Short term health insurance is a simple yet wonderful concept. Rather than going uninsured when you are released from a job or leave you current company for a new one which doesn’t immediately offer coverage to new hires, you can buy a temporary coverage plan that can save you hundreds or even thousands in medical expenses.

How much can you save? Well, without insurance, even a basic doctor’s visit could cost you a couple of hundred dollars, and that’s before you get a prescription to treat your illness. Serious injuries or medical crises can cost thousands. Not many people have a lot of disposable income to spend on health care these days, and if you don’t have a job then you have even less extra money. But by paying a minimal premium payment each month, you’ll be protected with short term medical insurance.

Affordability is one of the great benefits of these temporary insurance plans. In fact, you can set your own co-insurance and deductible rates. If you opt for a higher deductible amount and a higher co-pay, you’ll be able to save on premium costs. So you’re assuming more risk if something does happen, but even if a medical issue does arise you will still save much more money than you would if you were completely uninsured.

Another way temporary health insurance puts the power of choice in your hands is in its ability to customize the term of coverage to your needs. Are you on a 90 day probationary period at a new job? Are you looking for a new job and finding your search is taking longer than you’d hoped? No problem, as plans can be bought anywhere from 30 days to 360 days. Choose the amount of coverage you need rather than buy too much coverage and waste your money.

Even though short term health insurance plans are temporary, you will still get to choose your own doctors as well as your preferred hospitals for medical care. Don’t worry about being restricted by a plan’s limitations. In fact you may even find that you have a greater ability to select providers than your previous policy offered!

The headache of waiting for approval is gone as well. Short term insurance plans offer next day application approval, giving you the chance to enjoy immediate coverage. You can rest easily knowing your family’s health is secure.

As you begin a new job or keep searching for one, you don’t need the hassle of wondering how to protect your family’s health if an emergency arises. Temporary insurance offers you low prices, convenient and customizable terms, and great freedom in selecting providers you trust.

Dan Miller often writes about short term insurance.