What's the difference between short term plans and ACA plans?
If you're considering a short term plan or an ACA plan, here's a quick overview of how these two types of plans work.
| ACA Marketplace plans | Short term health insurance plans |
|---|---|
| Plan basics | |
| ACA plans are sold on the health care Marketplace (also called the Exchange). Depending on your income, you may be eligible for government subsidies to help lower the cost of an ACA plan. | Short term plans can help you get the benefits you need in times where you may have a gap in coverage — like when you're in between jobs or waiting for other coverage to start. |
| Type and length of coverage | |
| ACA plans offer comprehensive coverage for a full calendar year as long as you pay your premium. | Short term plans offer limited coverage for a limited time. |
| Consider an ACA plan if you: | Consider a short-term plan if you: |
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Frequently asked questions about hospital and doctor fixed indemnity insurance
Explore FAQs about indemnity insurance to learn how to choose a plan for you.
Indemnity insurance is also known as fixed benefit insurance or fee for service insurance. An indemnity plan offers limited benefits. The plan pays you a preset — “fixed” — payment when you receive any of the qualified medical services specified in the plan. The benefit paid out stays the same no matter what the total bill for the qualified service was. That’s why fixed indemnity insurance can also be called fixed benefit insurance or fee for service insurance. It’s meant to supplement a more traditional health insurance plan.
Health ProtectorGuard1 fixed indemnity plans help cover some of the most common medical costs you and your loved ones might face. These plans offer a preset benefit amount. Some benefits increase the longer you have a plan.
Fixed indemnity insurance is not major medical insurance. Fixed indemnity insurance provides limited benefits, paying a set amount for covered services up to a maximum for the year. It doesn’t cover all the essential health benefits outlined by the ACA and doesn’t qualify as the minimum essential coverage. Also, it will not cover expenses related to preexisting conditions for the first 12 months of coverage. In fact, it’s designed more as a supplement to a major medical plan.
It’s important to understand these differences:
- Indemnity insurance does not provide the coverage required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- It does not provide coverage for all the essential health benefits outlined in the ACA
- It will most likely not provide coverage for expenses from preexisting medical conditions for the first 12 months of coverage
Explore more health insurance options
Plans for people 65 or older or those under 65 who may qualify because of a disability or special condition.
Plans that are low cost or no-cost or Dual Special Needs plans (D-SNP).
Group health insurance options for employers to offer employees.