If you are between jobs and need coverage for yourself and your family, a temporary health insurance plan can help save you money on your medical bills. If you have just turned 26 and are no longer eligible for coverage under a parent’s plan, enrolling in a short-term plan will provide you with coverage for various medical reasons. There are many instances when short-term health insurance may be right for you, but before you make a decision, it’s crucial you understand what short-term health insurance is and what it covers.

In most states, Americans can buy short-term health insurance for a term of several months to a year. You also have the chance to renew your policy up to three times (meaning, for now, people can have short term health insurance for up to three years). In the past few years, health insurance companies designed their short-term health insurance plans to help people who needed to quickly obtain an affordable medical plan that could bridge the gap between permanent policies.