Best Short-Term Health Insurance in South Dakota (2024)

Short-term health plans are a great way to protect yourself against expensive medical bills during a lapse in health coverage. These plans typically last less than a year; you can purchase them for a few weeks or months.

If you've missed open enrollment or are between jobs, short-term health plans can be excellent options. However, since these plans aren't ACA-compliant, they don't cover essential health benefits, and insurers can deny coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

In South Dakota, Everest Reinsurance Company and UnitedHealthcare offer the best short-term plans, with scores of 85 and 80, respectively. However, the best plan for you may differ based on your situation.

Short-term plans are not substitutes for marketplace plans that provide essential health benefits. If cost is an issue, explore subsidies that can help you find a long-term marketplace plan with better coverage than a short-term one for the same cost.

According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, Everest Reinsurance Company offers the best short-term health insurance in South Dakota, scoring 85 out of 100. The following companies also offer great short-term plans:

• UnitedHealthcare: 80 out of 100
• National General Accident & Health: 60 out of 100

We chose these companies after analyzing their average maximum out-of-pocket costs and various cost-sharing options.

Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, Everest Reinsurance Company offers the cheapest short-term health insurance in South Dakota, with an average maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) of $7,958.

Choosing the cheapest plan will lower your monthly insurance costs; however, you’ll pay more out of pocket. Before purchasing an inexpensive plan, ensure it provides sufficient coverage for your needs.

You might want to opt for the cheapest health insurance while between jobs. However, know that such plans have higher out-of-pocket maximums. Cheap short-term plans are only suitable if you don’t need much medical care.

The following insurers offer the best short-term health insurance between jobs based on their monthly premiums and cost-sharing options.

• Everest Reinsurance Company: $131 per month
• National General Accident & Health: $137 per month
• Independence American Insurance Company: $174 per month

Since Everest Reinsurance Company has the lowest monthly premium and offers the most plan options, it’s our top choice for short-term health care insurer between jobs.

Before buying a short-term plan, it’s essential to understand how these work in South Dakota. A short-term health plan is the best option if you have a lapse in coverage. They usually last a few months and are not substitutes for marketplace plans.

In South Dakota, you can purchase short-term insurance for up to 364 days and renew it up to three times.

MoneyGeek answered the following frequently asked questions about short-term health insurance in South Dakota to help you to understand what it covers and how it works in the state.