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

Get quotes for Texas temporary health insurance policies

The premiums vary widely, but policy holders of Texas temp health insurance will generally find their policy to be more expensive than a similar long-term policy.

I recommend: Find multiple companies that provide TX temporary health insurance at AF Health Insurance. It specializes in affordable health insurance for families.

Study the types of temporary health insurance policies available in Texas

TX temporary health insurance is frequently designed only for certain groups or conditions. It is extremely helpful to be able to quickly identify policies that apply to you.

I recommend: Visit the J. Nate & Associates website to find a brief description of different policies for temporary medical insurance. Texas plans on this site are competitively priced. J. Nate & Associates is based in Austin.

Get personalized quotes on temporary health insurance according to your zip code

Your initial quote will be more meaningful when it is based on personal information that you supply when applying for temporary health insurance. Texas residents can use websites that will forward your application form to multiple health insurance companies.

I recommend: Go to Unicare for Texas and complete the application form. Unicare will respond with a quote or reject your application.

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.