Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Arkansas (2024)

Depending on your needs, you can purchase short-term health insurance for several weeks or up to one year. It’s a good option if you’re between jobs or miss open enrollment.

Please note that short-term medical insurance is not ACA-compliant, so it usually doesn’t cover essential health benefits. Moreover, short-term health insurance companies can deny applicants based on their medical histories and pre-existing conditions. Hence, short-term health insurance is not meant to replace market-based plans.

National General Accident & Health and Everest Reinsurance Company are the best short-term health options in Arkansas, scoring 95 and 85, respectively. However, the best insurer for you will provide coverage that meets your needs at an affordable price.

In addition, if you research available subsidies, you might find a marketplace policy that offers superior coverage at a rate similar to a short-term plan.

MoneyGeek’s research found that National General Accident & Health is the best temporary health insurer in Arkansas, earning a score of 95 out of 100.

Our selections for second and third-place medical insurance providers are:

• Everest Reinsurance Company: 85 out of 100
• Companion Life Insurance Company: 63 out of 100

We chose these insurance companies based on average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs and the variety of cost-sharing options they offer. The winner’s average MOOP is $7,500, whereas the runner-ups’ cost $7,958 and $12,438, respectively.

National General Accident & Health has the cheapest short-term health insurance plans in Arkansas, with an average MOOP of $7,500. While low premiums are attractive, the trade-off tends to be higher out-of-pocket expenses. So when you choose a plan based on cost, ensure the coverage matches your specific needs.

Between jobs, individuals may turn to short-term health plans with cheap premiums. However, cheaper premiums usually entail high MOOPs, so if you regularly see your physician, this might not be a great option for you.

MoneyGeek evaluated premiums and cost-sharing options and found the best options for short-term health insurance between jobs in Arkansas are:

• Companion Life Insurance Company: $141 per month
• UnitedHealthcare: $143 per month
• Everest Reinsurance Company: $150 per month

These companies’ average monthly premiums range between $141–150. However, Companion Life Insurance Company stands out since it offers the cheapest rate and has a fairly short waiting period.

Short-term insurance serves as a temporary substitute until you can purchase long-term coverage. It usually lasts for a few months and should act as an emergency plan instead of a preventive one.

You can usually renew your short-term insurance if you need to extend it. In Arkansas, it’s possible to have a plan for up to 364 days and then renew it for a maximum of 36 months.

Short-term health insurance in Arkansas can be an overwhelming topic. MoneyGeek answered commonly asked questions to help you determine your next steps.