When one has recently been given the pink slip, COBRA insurance usually steps in to continue coverage. However, its price tag could be very steep, and a better alternative might be short term insurance. These days, this cost distinction becomes even more important.

COBRA insurance guarantees continuation of medical coverage for up to 18 months after a person loses his/her job. COBRA insurance, however, is more expensive than regular insurance, and the conditions for qualification are stringent. In this tough situation, short-term medical insurance can really help a family by providing much-needed medical coverage.

Short term medical insurance offers a load of benefits including physician visits in case of illness, hospitalization, and most medical care. That includes ambulance services, surgery, prescriptions, and diagnostic tests. Previously existing conditions, and anything considered routine care (teeth cleaning, eye check ups) are not covered under the plan.

Generally, temporary insurance plans are available for a month to a year, with easy renewal options. The “renewal” itself may be considered a new policy, so that the insured is once again evaluated for eligibility and new premium rates.

It is important to remember that short term insurance cannot be an adequate long-term health insurance plan. It is primarily meant as coverage for temporary periods. Long term health insurance plans offer several critical benefits not often available to the short term health insurance customer: scheduled physician visits and maternity, for instance.

When applying for long term health insurance later, you might be asked about continuous coverage, and some short term insurance plans apply toward continuous coverage. It is also taken into account when determining pre-existing conditions. If you are signing up for an individual long term health plan, the temporary insurance may not count as continuous and creditable coverage.

You can easily purchase short term health insurance online. Since the plan is temporary, you are not usually subjected to lengthy underwriting procedures.

For temporary insurance of around six months (or less), short term insurance can work quite well. It can also be a better option than COBRA insurance for many people, but it is important to know that short term insurance is just that short term.

Dan Miller often writes about short term insurance.