Short-term health insurance plans are sometimes marketed as affordable alternatives to ACA plans. What is a major limitation patients should know?

Short-term health plans are exempt from ACA consumer protections and are not required to cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs, mental health services, or maternity care. Critically, they can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and can rescind coverage if a health issue is discovered that was present before enrollment. These plans typically have lower premiums but can leave policyholders with enormous uncovered bills. The Biden administration limited their duration and the Trump administration moved to expand them; regulations have shifted significantly in recent years.