What does “temporary coverage” mean in health insurance?

Temporary coverage in health insurance refers to a short-term insurance policy that offers protection while a more permanent policy is being finalized or activated. This type of coverage can be essential for individuals who need immediate health insurance access, often due to a transition period between jobs or waiting for a new health insurance policy to take effect.

Temporary coverage provides a safety net during a crucial time, helping to ensure that individuals do not remain uninsured while they are awaiting the start of their main coverage. This policy generally lasts for a limited duration, typically ranging from a few months to up to a year, depending on the provider and specific circumstances.

The other options refer to different scenarios that do not align with the definition of temporary coverage, such as permanent policies that only cover emergencies, long-term policies that guarantee lifetime coverage, or policies without any waiting period, all of which encompass broader or different contexts than what temporary coverage entails.