Short-Term Health Insurance in Ohio (2026)
Need coverage for a few months? Here’s what short-term health insurance looks like in Ohio right now, and the alternatives that usually work better.
Short-term coverage in Ohio
Short-term plans are available in Ohio
Ohio does not define short-term plans in statute, but under Ohio Department of Insurance Bulletin 2018-05 a plan lasting no more than 364 days is exempt from many individual market rules, and even these plans must include certain Ohio protections such as appeal rights and coverage of mammograms, autism treatment and newborn care. A 2024 federal rule limits new short-term plans to four months in total, but in August 2025 federal agencies said they would not prioritize enforcing it. As of early 2026, at least seven insurers were selling short-term plans in Ohio, some capped at four or six months.
Short-term health plans are sold in Ohio. Ohio treats a plan that lasts no more than 364 days as short-term, and as of early 2026 at least seven insurers were selling these plans in the state, some with four- or six-month limits.
A 2024 federal rule limits new short-term plans to four months in total, but in August 2025 federal agencies said they would not prioritize enforcing it. Ohio still requires some protections in these plans, such as appeal rights and coverage of mammograms, autism treatment and newborn care, but short-term plans can still deny you or exclude pre-existing conditions, and they do not qualify for premium tax credits.
For many people, a Marketplace plan through a special enrollment period, Ohio continuation coverage, or Ohio Medicaid is a better fit. A short-term plan makes the most sense as a brief gap filler when you are healthy and cannot get a Marketplace plan right away.
What short-term plans are, and aren’t
Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant health insurance. Where they’re sold, insurers can ask about your health, decline to cover pre-existing conditions, and leave out benefits like maternity care, mental health care or prescriptions. They don’t qualify for premium tax credits.
They can make sense for a healthy person filling a short, known gap. For anyone with an ongoing condition, or who might qualify for subsidies, a Marketplace plan is usually the better choice.
Ohio questions
Don’t see your question? Ask a licensed agent or call (888) 214-4898.
Yes. As of early 2026, at least seven insurers sold short-term plans in Ohio. Ohio treats plans lasting up to 364 days as short-term, though some insurers limit theirs to four or six months.
A 2024 federal rule limits new short-term plans to four months in total. In August 2025 federal agencies said they would not prioritize enforcing it, so plan lengths in Ohio depend largely on the insurer and state rules.
Usually not. Short-term plans can ask health questions, deny you or exclude conditions you already have, and they do not qualify for premium tax credits. Ohio does require some benefits in these plans, such as mammograms and newborn care.
Sources
Reviewed October 2026. Rules and prices change every year; a licensed agent will confirm what applies to you.
