Look, I get it.
You just moved to Orlando. Or maybe your employer dropped group coverage. Again.
Your eyes are on that monthly premium. The cheap one.
A $90 plan sounds a whole lot better than $450, right?
Hold that thought.
My office is right outside Jacksonville. Been doing this for 15 years. And I’ve seen a family lose their savings because they didn’t read the fine print on a “Florida short term health insurance” policy.
So let’s walk through this. Quick. No fluffy sales pitch.
The #1 Trap: “I’m Covered for Everything”
You are not.
Short term plans are not ACA plans. There’s a reason they cost less.
Here is what won’t be covered 99% of the time:
1. Maternity. Having a baby? This plan laughs at you.
2. Mental health. Need therapy or a psych hold? All out of pocket.
3. Pre-existing conditions. That back surgery from two years ago? Any related visit is denied. Instantly.
4. Prescriptions. Most of these plans give you a discount card. Not real coverage.
So if you have asthma, diabetes, or take blood pressure meds? Stop right here. This product is not for you.
The Catch You Missed: The “Per Occurrence” Limit
This is where the industry hides the hand grenade.
Most short term plans have a “per injury or sickness” cap. Let’s say it’s $20,000.
You fall off a ladder cleaning your gutters in Naples. Broken leg, ambulance, surgery.
The bill hits $48,000.
Your policy pays $20,000. You owe the other $28,000.
No cap on your exposure. That’s the deal.
Florida Specifics (This Matters)
Because we live in the lightning capital of the country. Hurricanes, heatstroke, car accidents on I-4.
Florida allows companies to sell these plans for up to 364 days. But they can also deny renewal if you actually get sick.
I call it the “disappearing safety net.”
You pay the premium. You get diagnosed with kidney stones. You file a claim. The carrier says, “Thank you, your policy is now non-renewed.”
How is that for peace of mind?
The Real “Why” People Buy It
Three scenarios only.
Scenario A: You are 26, healthy, no prescriptions, and just graduated. You need a bridge for 3 months until your new job’s benefits kick in.
Scenario B: You are a snowbird. You live in Ohio 9 months. You only need catastrophe coverage in Florida for the winter.
Scenario C: You missed the Open Enrollment window. And you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This is your last, desperate option.
Outside of that? Do not pass Go.
The Tax Part Nobody Tells You
Unlike an ACA plan,your monthly premium for short term insurance is not tax-deductible unless you are self-employed and paying from a business account.
Even then, it’s tricky. You cannot use a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for these premiums.
So that “savings” on the front end? You are paying with post-tax dollars.
Here is your action plan.
Step 1. Get a real quote from Florida Blue or Oscar for an ACA plan first. Compare it. Do the math.
Step 2. If you still want short term, call the carrier. Ask the agent one question: “What is the maximum lifetime benefit, and what is the per-occurrence limit?”
If they stutter? Hang up.
Step 3. Read the exclusion list. Not the brochure. The actual contract. Look for “exclusions for pre-existing.”
You want a bridge to safety, not a trap door.
Don’t let a $100 premium cost you $40,000 in debt.
I’ve seen it happen. And I don’t want that to be you.