It is important to consider the annual deductible when comparing short term health insurance plans. In general, out-of-pocket expenses are limited when you remain in the Preferred Provider Organization network.
A short term PPO plan has different deductible amounts for in-network and out-of-network care. For an individual, the deductible will usually be $1,200 or less within the network, or $2,000 outside the network. The thresholds are higher for families: $2,100 and $3,500 respectively.
After the deductible is paid out of your pocket, the health insurance company will cover a portion of the remaining costs. The exact amount depends on the co-insurance percentages specified in your short term medical health insurance policy. Co-insurance will be higher for out-of-network services, meaning that you will have to pay a greater share of the remaining cost.
Keep in mind that although premiums may be inexpensive, high deductibles can make what initially seems like affordable short term health insurance into a budget buster.
