UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Insurance

We understand how confusing and frustrating it can be to search for the best health insurance companies. Access to reliable information is essential to help you make an informed decision, and that’s why we write impartial company reviews. Today, we’re going to focus on UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance coverage.

If you’re looking for temporary coverage to help you through a transition period in your life, a UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance policy might be a wise choice. In this review, we’ll break down the available coverage options, financial ratings, and customer reviews for UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance policies.

UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Insurance Coverage

UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance policies cover gaps in your health insurance coverage. These plans are underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company and offer flexible coverage options that vary by state. 

When do you need a UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance plan?

Short-term health insurance can be helpful in a variety of situations when you do not have access to permanent coverage. UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance policies provide valuable and flexible coverage options whenever you need temporary health insurance. 

Short-term coverage may be a practical choice for you if:

• You need health insurance coverage until you qualify for Medicare.
• You are under 65 and healthy with no preexisting conditions.
• You are temporarily unemployed or in between jobs and without insurance.
• You are not eligible for special enrollment, missed the open enrollment period, and cannot apply for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance.
• You are approved for ACA insurance but are waiting for coverage to start.

UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance is a valuable option if you need temporary coverage. You can use it to cover your spouse and children if they meet the medical requirements. 

What are the features of UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance?

UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance policies give you the power to choose the duration of your coverage and the cost you pay. With multiple deductible levels to choose from and coverage lengths between one and 12 months, UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance is a flexible choice that you can tailor to fit your budget.

UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance plans feature a wide range of benefits, including:

• A fast approval process. You can use your insurance as early as a day after applying for coverage.
• Renewable. You can purchase another short-term plan after your first expires.
• Access to quality care. With a UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance policy, you have access to its network of providers, including 1.4 million doctors, 6,500 hospitals, and other medical facilities.

You may also add a virtual care rider to your plan for an additional cost. This rider allows you to visit board-certified doctors online at any time for no extra cost.

Many of UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance policies cover preventative care and prescriptions, and you don’t need a referral to see a specialist with your temporary coverage.

Short-term health insurance with UnitedHealthcare covers doctor’s visits, trips to the emergency room, and lab work. 

You can also pair UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance with supplemental health insurance policies such as dental, vision, accident, and critical illness. 

Read More: Emergency Room Insurance Coverage

Is UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance affordable?

UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance is budget-friendly, and you can tailor the plan to fit your needs and financial situation.

You choose your deductible, and premiums are generally lower than ACA plans.

Plan rates vary depending on your state, coverage type, age, and health condition. Policies are generally available in multiple price ranges to give you flexible options. 

UnitedHealthcare does not charge a fee if you cancel your plan early.

If permanent coverage becomes available, you are free to drop your UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance coverage without a penalty. 

You cannot qualify for a tax subsidy to help you pay for a UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance plan. Since short-term policies are usually cheaper than ACA plans, this coverage may still be an affordable option for you.

What else should you know about UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance?

A critical distinction between UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance and ACA insurance is that UnitedHealthcare’s short-term policies are not guaranteed issue coverage. There is an application process, and you must answer a series of medical questions to qualify for coverage.

UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance plans do not cover preexisting conditions. 

Short-term health insurance policies through UnitedHealthcare do not have minimum coverage requirements. Coverage varies depending on your state.

UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Insurance Ratings and Reviews

No matter how well-known the company is, it’s always essential to check financial ratings and customer reviews when looking for an insurance plan. These sources offer valuable insight into a company’s financial integrity and customer experience.

Golden Rule Insurance Company Financial Ratings

UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group Inc. However, since Golden Rule Insurance Company underwrites UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance plans, we looked at the financial ratings for this provider.

Golden Rule Insurance has an A+ rating with A.M. Best, one of the leading financial reviewers in the country. Moody’s, another top rating agency, does not rate Golden Rule Insurance but gives an A3 — or medium — rating to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, Golden Rule’s parent company.

UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Insurance Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are an essential source of information when comparing insurance companies.

UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance is one of the many products offered by UnitedHealth Group. It is often difficult to find reviews mentioning specific forms of coverage. Still, consumer reviews provide us with valuable insight into how well UnitedHealthcare honors its commitments and treats its customers.

The Better Business Bureau does not accredit UnitedHealth Group, but it does have an A+ rating based on customer-submitted complaints and information. There are nearly 800 complaints against the company, but 188 have been closed or resolved within last year. UnitedHealth Group has a 1.05/5 star rating with BBB based on 496 customer reviews.

Negative customer complaints and reviews on BBB cite poor customer service, a frustrating claims process, and a failure to honor policy commitments. 

UnitedHealthcare is rated better on WalletHub, with 3.7/5 stars based on 2,442 customer reviews. However, the general tone of the top reviews is negative, and many customers complain of poor customer service.  

UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Insurance: Final Thoughts

UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance is available across 40 states and the District of Columbia. The plans are flexible and affordable, with multiple deductible and coverage options available to you. 

Short-term health insurance policies are a smart choice for anyone who needs temporary coverage. UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance plans may be available in one to 12-month durations. They are ideal for healthy people between jobs or those waiting on ACA coverage to take effect.

Golden Rule Insurance Company — which A.M. Best positively rates — underwrites all UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance products. However, customer reviews for UnitedHealthcare are generally negative. Complaints against the company include accusations of poor customer service, long claims wait times, and failures to honor commitments.

Overall, UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance is an excellent option for anyone who requires coverage for a brief period. The company’s customer reviews are poor, but the short-term benefits provided by UnitedHealthcare are solid. The temporary coverage value might make UnitedHealthcare’s short-term insurance a wise investment for you and your family.

Whether you choose to purchase a UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance plan or not, you must research all your options. Remember to compare multiple companies and the products they provide to find the best plan for you and your loved ones.