Temporary Health Coverage
Short-Term Medical Plans
Temporary coverage for coverage gaps — honest answers about what it is and isn't.
Short-term medical plans are not ACA-compliant health insurance. They're a temporary bridge for people in specific situations — between jobs, waiting for Medicare eligibility, or facing ACA premiums that have become unaffordable. They cost less than ACA plans but cover less. We'll always tell you the honest trade-offs before recommending one.
Why this is relevant for Wisconsin in 2026
The 2026 ACA marketplace changed significantly for many Wisconsin households.
Average statewide increase in Wisconsin ACA benchmark Silver plan premiums for 2026 — one of the steeper increases in recent years.
Wisconsin Watch, November 2025
Benchmark premium increase for La Crosse and Trempealeau counties — lower than the statewide average, but still significant for households on fixed budgets.
Wisconsin Watch, November 2025
Average monthly savings Wisconsin marketplace enrollees had from enhanced federal subsidies that expired at the end of 2025 — leaving many paying significantly more.
Wisconsin Watch, November 2025
For some people, those changes made ACA plans genuinely unaffordable for the first time. A short-term plan isn't the right answer for everyone — but it's worth knowing the option exists and understanding the trade-offs clearly.
Is a short-term plan right for your situation?
These are the situations where short-term coverage makes sense — and the situations where it doesn't.
When it makes sense
- Between jobs and waiting for new employer coverage to start
- Under 65 and waiting for Medicare eligibility
- Recent college graduate without employer coverage yet
- Self-employed and ACA premiums are genuinely unaffordable without a subsidy
- Spouse lost employer coverage and needs a temporary bridge
When it does not make sense
- You have a pre-existing condition that needs ongoing coverage — short-term plans can deny claims for pre-existing conditions
- You qualify for ACA subsidies that make marketplace coverage affordable — check before assuming you don't qualify
- You need maternity, mental health, or prescription drug coverage as a priority — short-term plans often exclude or limit these
- You need coverage for more than 12 months — short-term plans are temporary by design
What short-term plans typically cover — and don't
Generally covered
- Doctor visits and urgent care
- Emergency room and hospitalization
- Surgery and outpatient procedures
- Some plans include optional prescription drug riders
Typically excluded
- Pre-existing conditions
- Maternity care
- Mental health and substance use treatment
- Preventive care
Important: what short-term plans are not
Short-term medical plans are not ACA-compliant and do not guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits. They are not a substitute for comprehensive health insurance. Hougom Insurance Agency will always review your full situation — including subsidy eligibility — before recommending a short-term plan.
Questions we get asked
Is a short-term plan better than no coverage?
Generally yes — it protects you from catastrophic medical bills during a coverage gap. But it should never be treated as a permanent solution or a substitute for comprehensive coverage.
Can I be denied for a health condition?
Yes. Unlike ACA plans, short-term medical plans can deny applicants or exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. This is the most important difference to understand before applying.
How long can I keep a short-term plan in Wisconsin?
Federal rules allow short-term plans to last up to 12 months with renewal options. Wisconsin follows federal guidelines on duration.
Should I check ACA subsidy eligibility before buying short-term?
Always. Many people assume they don't qualify for subsidies and are wrong. We run subsidy calculations for every client before recommending a short-term plan.
Talk to us before deciding
Not sure whether a short-term plan or ACA marketplace coverage is right for your situation? We review your income, household size, and employment status — and run subsidy eligibility — before recommending anything. If a marketplace plan makes more sense, we'll show you that first.
Hougom Insurance Agency · 115 10th Ave S, Suite A · Onalaska, WI 54650
Short-term medical plans are not ACA-compliant health insurance and do not cover pre-existing conditions or all essential health benefits required under the Affordable Care Act. Benefits, exclusions, and eligibility vary by carrier and plan. This page is for general educational purposes only and is not a guarantee of coverage or benefits. Premium and rate information on this page reflects publicly reported figures from Wisconsin Watch (November 2025) and CMS public use files. Hougom Insurance Agency is a licensed independent insurance agency (NPN 20742808). We do not offer every plan available in your area.