Consumer Protections

A short-term health limited duration (STLD) plan, sometimes called a limited-duration health plan, is not new. These plans are health insurance designed to help bridge a brief, unexpected gap in your health care coverage during a time of transition. For example, these plans can provide temporary minimum health coverage if you are in between jobs, waiting for coverage to begin at a new job or rolling off your parent’s insurance outside of the annual open enrollment period.

It's important to read the fine print before you buy one of these plans. More information on STLD plans can be found on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. 

If you have a life change (have a baby, turn 26, move, are between jobs, or get married, for example), you may qualify for a special enrollment period outside of the annual open enrollment period to select a comprehensive plan through MNsure.

Under Minnesota law, you can enroll in a short-term plan for up to six months, or 185 days or less.

No, but you can buy another short-term plan. 

You can have coverage under short-term plans for up to 365 days (12 months) within a 555-day (18 months) period. You are not guaranteed the same plan if you choose to purchase an additional six months of coverage. Any medical condition that developed during prior coverage would be considered a pre-existing condition and would not be covered by a new short-term plan.

Each plan is different, that’s why you need to read the fine print on any plan you are considering. But here are some benefits that often are not covered by short-term limited duration plans:

• Maternity health care
• Mental/behavioral health care
• Prescription medications
• Substance use disorder services
• Preventive care, like annual check-ups or cancer screenings
• Treatment for developmental delays

In comparison, every plan sold through MNsure covers the 10 essential benefits and includes the consumer protections listed at the top of this page.

Association health plans (AHPs) are created in Minnesota when two or more employers come together to form an entity that offers health insurance benefits to their employees. These employers participate in the governance of both the association and the health plan it offers. AHPs provide health insurance under the large employer health insurance regulations and must follow federal requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). As such, association health plans are not required to offer the comprehensive essential health benefits that are required in the individual and small group insurance markets. More information on AHPs can be found at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website.

Association health plans (AHPs) are not required to offer coverage for pre-existing conditions that are required in the individual and small group insurance markets. More information about AHPs can be found at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website.