You may need temporary health insurance for several different reasons, including unemployment or having a temporary or part-time job. West Virginia short term medical insurance also is necessary while you are waiting for long-term health insurance to kick in. It provides an affordable alternative to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, insurance.

Preferred provider organizations and health maintenance organizations generally do not provide services for temporary medical insurance. West Virginia policy holders normally can receive care from any licensed health care provider, however.

Keep the following three points in mind when you are thinking about buying temporary health insurance in West Virginia:

1. Gap coverage between long-term policies is the intended purpose of temporary health insurance. West Virginia short term medical insurance should be replaced by permanent insurance at some point in the future.

2. Temp health insurance in West Virginia will usually cover unexpected illness and injury but will probably not pay for preventative care or routine examinations.

3. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) exempts temporary West Virginia health insurance and it is not required to be issued or renewed to any applicant.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Review any policy you are considering for clauses that extend coverage beyond the termination date of the temporary medical insurance. West Virginia temporary health insurance policies will frequently continue coverage for total disability until certain conditions have been met. These might include expenditure of a fixed benefit amount, reaching a certain time past the termination date or until the treatment is no longer required. Many plans will also provide a fixed benefit for partial disability after the termination of the policy.