Several reasons exist for purchasing Texas temporary health coverage. You might be between jobs or have only temporary or part-time employment. Families need Texas temp health insurance while the breadwinner is waiting for standard health insurance to kick in at a new job, and it can be used to replace Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, insurance.

Health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations usually provide services only for long-term medical insurance. However, Texas temporary medical insurance providers usually allow the policy holder to receive care from any licensed health provider.

Keep the following three points in mind when you are shopping around for temporary health insurance in Texas:

1. Gap coverage between long-term policies is the primary intent of temporary health insurance. Texas workers with temporary health insurance should expect to obtain standard health insurance at some point.

2. Temporary health insurance in Texas is intended to provide coverage for unexpected injuries and illnesses but generally will not cover routine examinations or preventative care.

3. Temporary health insurance is exempt from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, in Texas so these policies are not required to be issued or renewed.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Temporary health insurance in Texas generally has a maximum term of six months but you will frequently be able to take out a second policy if you didn't make any claims under the first policy and there haven't been significant changes to your health.
• Review any prospective policies for a provision that would extend your coverage beyond the stated expiration date of the temporary medical insurance. Texas temporary health care plans will often cover total disabilities until other conditions have been satisfied. These can include paying a maximum benefit, reaching a certain time beyond the expiration date or when treatment is no longer required. Many plans will also provide a fixed benefit for partial disability after the policy expires.