Flexible temporary coverage designed for life transitions, including job changes, open enrollment gaps, or urgent needs.
A smart, affordable solution for life’s transition periods — quick coverage exactly when you need it most.
Facing a 30–90 day gap before your new coverage begins? Don’t take the risk.
Key Details
Employer coverage has ended, but your new plan hasn’t started yet.
Short-Term Medical (STM) helps cover unexpected ER or urgent care expenses during the gap.
What to Know About STM
Not ACA-compliant and may exclude pre-existing conditions or certain benefits.
Availability, term length, and renewal options vary by state and carrier.
Designed as a temporary bridge, not a long-term health insurance solution.
Fast Next Steps
Keep your recent coverage dates and current prescriptions ready.
We’ll help you compare STM and ACA plans to see if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
No qualifying life event needed — you can apply for STM coverage anytime.
Key Details
ACA marketplace enrollment is seasonal, but STM coverage is available year-round.
Apply anytime you need temporary health coverage.
What to Know About STM
Not ACA-compliant and may exclude pre-existing conditions or certain benefits.
Coverage availability, term lengths, and renewal options vary by state and carrier.
Designed as a temporary bridge, not a long-term insurance solution.
Fast Next Steps
Keep your recent coverage dates and prescriptions handy.
We’ll help you compare STM with ACA options if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Planning early retirement or waiting for a new plan to start? STM bridges the gap without overpaying.
Key Details
Provides coverage until Medicare Part A/B or employer benefits take effect.
Often more affordable than full private plans for short-term needs.
What to Know About STM
Not ACA-compliant and may exclude pre-existing conditions or certain benefits.
Coverage availability, term lengths, and renewal options vary by state and carrier.
Ideal as a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution.
Fast Next Steps
Have your recent coverage dates and any prescriptions ready.
We’ll help you compare STM and ACA options if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Offers lower premiums than major medical plans, designed for short-term coverage periods.
Key Details
Provides a “better-than-nothing” safety net for unexpected medical events.
Not intended for long-term or comprehensive healthcare coverage.
What to Know About STM
Not ACA-compliant and may exclude pre-existing conditions or certain benefits.
Coverage availability, term lengths, and renewal options vary by state and carrier.
Designed as a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution.
Fast Next Steps
Keep your recent coverage dates and prescriptions handy.
We’ll help you compare STM and ACA options if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Choose coverage from 30 days to 12 months (varies by state) and cancel anytime once you’re ready.
Key Details
Coverage terms vary by state; some states allow stacking or renewals.
Cancel the plan once your traditional coverage begins.
What to Know About STM
Not ACA-compliant and may exclude pre-existing conditions or certain benefits.
Availability, term lengths, and renewal options vary by state and carrier.
Designed as a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution.
Fast Next Steps
Keep your recent coverage dates and prescriptions ready.
We’ll help you compare STM and ACA options if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Don’t visit the doctor often? Stay covered for major medical emergencies.
Key Details
Provides coverage for sudden illnesses or accidents without the full cost of ACA plans.
Ideal if you primarily need financial protection against unexpected medical events.
What to Know About STM
Not ACA-compliant and may exclude pre-existing conditions or certain benefits.
Coverage availability, term lengths, and renewals vary by state and carrier.
Designed as a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution.
Fast Next Steps
Keep your recent coverage dates and prescriptions handy.
We’ll help you compare STM and ACA options if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Three simple steps to get fast coverage exactly when you need it.
Provide your age and state, select a start date, and confirm STM is right for you.
View premiums, copays, and coinsurance, review available providers, and include optional benefits.
Finish a short application, select an effective date (even as soon as tomorrow), and get your ID card.
The monthly premium required to maintain your short-term coverage.
What It Is
The fixed amount you pay monthly (or quarterly) for your Short-Term Medical (STM) plan.
How It Works
Paid directly to the insurer—subsidies are not available.
Premium covers membership only; it does not reduce what you owe for doctor visits or medical services.
What Affects It
Factors include age, gender, location, tobacco use, and plan duration.
No income-based discounts—everyone pays the full premium.
Pro Tip
Balance your premium with your deductible: lower premiums usually mean higher out-of-pocket costs.
Example
$120/month premium → you pay this amount every month for the plan term.
The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your plan begins covering medical expenses.
What It Is
The upfront amount you pay out-of-pocket before your Short-Term Medical (STM) plan starts sharing costs.
How It Works
Deductible resets with each policy term (3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your plan).
Some services may still require full payment until the deductible is met.
Watch For
A separate deductible applies for each coverage term if you renew or re-enroll.
Pro Tip
Choose a deductible you can reasonably afford in case of an emergency.
Example
$5,000 deductible → you pay the first $5,000 of eligible medical expenses before coinsurance starts.
A fixed payment made at the time of service, which may not be included in all plans.
What It Is
Some Short-Term Medical (STM) plans include copays for basic doctor or urgent care visits, though many do not.
Examples
Primary care: $40 (if copays are included)
Urgent care: $75
Most services: deductible + coinsurance applies
Pro Tip
Confirm whether your STM plan offers copays, as many plans are deductible-only.
The portion of medical expenses you pay after meeting your deductible.
What It Is
After meeting your deductible, you and your insurer share medical costs according to a set percentage.
Typical Splits
Common coinsurance ratios: 80/20 or 70/30 (plan pays the first number).
Example
With 80/20 coinsurance on a $2,000 bill → you pay $400, and the plan pays $1,600.
The maximum amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket during the policy term.
What It Is
The out-of-pocket maximum is the highest amount you’ll pay in a policy term for covered, in-network services, including deductible, coinsurance, and copays.
After You Hit It
The STM plan covers 100% of eligible services for the remainder of the term.
Note
Limits reset if you enroll in a new STM term.
Healthcare providers and facilities that have agreements with your STM insurance plan.
What It Is
A network of healthcare providers who accept discounted rates under your STM plan.
Why It Matters
Out-of-network care may not be covered or could result in significantly higher bills.
Example
In-network ER visit: $1,200
Out-of-network ER visit: $3,000
Services and conditions that short-term medical plans typically exclude.
Common Exclusions
Pre-existing conditions (often excluded for 12 months or longer)
Preventive care, such as annual checkups
Maternity, mental health services, and many prescription medications
Pro Tip
Always review your policy carefully—STM coverage differs from ACA-compliant plans.
The duration of time your short-term medical plan provides coverage.
What It Is
Short-term medical (STM) policies typically last 1 to 12 months, depending on state regulations.
Important
Coverage ends when the policy term expires.
To continue coverage, you must re-apply, and approval is not guaranteed.
Save money by bundling health insurance with dental, vision, accident, disability, and more.
Covers medical expenses for injuries from an accident, up to a specified maximum.
What It Does
Covers injury care after an accident—ER visits, imaging, and follow-ups—up to a specified maximum.
Why Pair It With STM
Short-Term Medical (STM) plans often have high deductibles and coverage gaps; Accident Medical Expense (AME) insurance helps cover the initial sudden costs.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Accident-only coverage
Per-incident maximums
Coordination rules with your STM plan apply
Provides a lump-sum cash benefit upon a major diagnosis such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
What It Does
Provides a one-time cash benefit upon a covered diagnosis.
Why Pair It With STM
The cash payout offers flexibility for deductibles, travel, time off work, or non-medical expenses.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Only specific conditions are covered
Waiting periods and survival requirements apply
Pays a set dollar amount per day, surgery, or ICU stay, regardless of actual medical bills.
What It Does
Provides fixed payments for inpatient days, surgeries, and ICU care, regardless of actual billed charges.
Why Pair It With STM
Helps offset costly inpatient expenses when your STM plan requires significant cost-sharing.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Benefits are limited according to a set schedule
Not a replacement for major medical coverage
Fixed payments for doctor visits, lab tests, and X-rays.
What It Does
Provides fixed payments for routine outpatient visits, lab tests, and X‑rays.
Why Pair It With STM
Helps make routine care costs more predictable under STM plans, which often have limited outpatient coverage.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Benefits are limited by visit caps and payment schedules
Payments may not fully cover actual charges
Provides a one-time cash benefit for death or covered injuries resulting from an accident.
What It Does
Pays a lump-sum benefit for accidental death or qualifying injuries.
Why Pair It With STM
Offers an affordable safety add-on that families often expect in a coverage bundle.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Covers accidents only, not general life insurance
Policy definitions and exclusions are important to review
Access 24/7 phone and video visits for routine conditions and prescription needs.
What It Does
Provides on-demand virtual visits with licensed clinicians, including prescriptions where permitted.
Why Pair It With STM
Helps manage minor health issues without visiting urgent care, offering excellent value for the cost.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Not intended for emergency care
Prescribing rules vary by state and some medications are excluded
Offers discounts or modest fixed benefits on generic and selected brand-name medications.
What It Does
Provides either a discount network or a limited cash benefit for common prescription medications.
Why Pair It With STM
STM plans often offer minimal prescription coverage; this helps fill that gap.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Discount cards are not insurance
Savings vary depending on pharmacy and medication
Covers one or two basic annual checkups, including labs, for a fixed price or benefit.
What It Does
Covers a limited number of preventive visits and lab tests with set benefits.
Why Pair It With STM
STM plans typically do not include ACA-style preventive care, making this a useful add-on.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Limited lab panels and visit numbers
Waiting periods may apply
Strict billing and eligibility rules apply
Covers routine dental or vision exams, cleanings, and provides an allowance for frames and lenses.
What It Does
Provides coverage or discounts for routine dental and vision care.
Why Pair It With STM
Offers the benefits of employer-style plans without high premiums.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Dental coverage often includes waiting periods for major procedures
Vision coverage typically operates on a set allowance for frames and lenses
Provides a weekly cash benefit if you’re unable to work due to a covered accident or illness.
What It Does
Provides weekly cash benefits during temporary disability, according to policy terms.
Why Pair It With STM
Helps protect your income when STM doesn’t cover lost wages.
Gotchas / Fine Print
Underwriting requirements apply
Elimination periods and partial disability rules may affect benefits
Explore the IDR Insurance Resource Center for answers to your questions, the latest industry insights, and helpful tools to navigate your insurance and financial decisions.
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Short-Term Medical (STM) provides temporary health coverage for unexpected illnesses or accidents during gaps in your regular insurance. It’s ideal for short-term needs and is not ACA-compliant.
Short-Term Medical (STM) is perfect for individuals between jobs, waiting for new employer coverage, early retirees, recent graduates, or anyone who missed Open Enrollment and needs cost-effective, temporary health protection.
Short-Term Medical (STM) plans generally last from 30 days up to 12 months, depending on state rules. Some plans allow renewals, but STM is designed as temporary coverage, not a long-term solution.
No. Short-Term Medical (STM) plans generally exclude pre-existing conditions, typically reviewing medical history from the past 2–5 years.
Covers doctor visits, ER care, hospital stays, surgeries, lab tests, and select prescription medications, depending on the plan.
Exclusions include pre-existing conditions, preventive care, maternity, mental health services, and many prescriptions. Always check your policy for specifics.
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Call: (636) 556-5555, (314) 499-8888
Mail: support@idrinsurance.com
Chesterfield Office: 691 Trade Center Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005
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