UHC Short Term Health Insurance
Underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Co
UHC is a respected name in the healthcare industry. As such, they offer a robust short-term (otherwise known as a "catastrophic") product to meet your needs.
They are a great choice for Texas short term health insurance.
Our Rating: ★★★★☆
Why should I consider this coverage?
These plans can help bridge the gap in coverage if you: (a) must wait until the next Open Enrollment or are waiting for other coverage to begin; (b) are between jobs; (c) retired early; or (d) just graduated college. Keep in mind that you may owe an additional payment on your taxes because these plans are not ACA-compliant.
A Choice of Coverage to Fit Your Specific Needs
You select the term from 30 days to less than 3 months, then choose your deductible, and coinsurance that fit your budget. See below for a comparison of the plans available. Once you meet your deductible, you pay a percentage of covered expenses (coinsurance) to the coinsurance out-of-pocket maximum amount you selected. Then insurance pays 100% of the remaining covered expenses to the lifetime maximum benefit.
UnitedHealthCare Choice Network Advantages
Get access to one of America's largest doctor and hospital networks. Receive quality care at reduced costs because the network providers have agreed to lower fees for covered expenses. The large network of doctors and hospitals offer choices across the nation, so even when you’re traveling, you’re likely to find in-network care. You must use a network doctor or hospital. These plans pay no benefits for out-of-network expenses except for emergencies.
Learn More
(972) 666-0578
| Lifetime Maximum: $600,000 per person, per term | ||||
| Benefit | Value Select | Plus Select | Copay Select | Plus Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get a quote | ||||
| Coverage Basics | ||||
| Length of Coverage | Choose 30 days to less than 3 months | |||
| Deductible Type | Per Term - one deductible for your selected coverage length | |||
| Deductible Amount (per person) | You choose $1,000 - $2,500 - $5,000 - $10,000 - $12,500 (note: $1,000 not available with Plus Elite) | |||
| Supplemental Accident Benefit (optional) | We pay up to: $1,000 - $2,500 - $5,000 - $10,000 - $12,500 | |||
| Cost Sharing | ||||
| Coinsurance (% you pay after deductible) | 30% or 40% | 20% or 40% | 20% | 0% |
| Coinsurance Out-of-Pocket Max | $5,000 or $10,000 | $2,000, $5,000 or $10,000 | $5,000 | $0 |
| Medical Services | ||||
| Doctor Office Visit | Coinsurance after deductible | Coinsurance after deductible | $50 copay (1st visit); coinsurance after deductible thereafter | Coinsurance after deductible |
| Urgent Care Center | $75 copay - applies to all plans | |||
| Emergency Room | $259 copay, then subject to deductible and coinsurance | |||
| Outpatient Surgery, Labs and X-rays | Coinsurance after deductible | |||
| Hospital Inpatient Services | Coinsurance after deductible | |||
| Prescription Drugs ($3,000 Max Benefit) | ||||
| Rx Coverage | Preferred Price Card + coinsurance after deductible | Preferred Price Card + coinsurance after deductible | Discount card only (avg. 20-25% savings) | Not covered |
Injury expenses eligible from day 1; illness expenses eligible from day 6. Additional doctor visits subject to deductible and coinsurance. Discount card saves avg. 20-25% on Rx.
| Lifetime Maximum: $2,000,000 per person, per term | ||||
| Benefit | Value Select | Plus Select | Copay Select | Plus Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get a quote | ||||
| Coverage Basics | ||||
| Length of Coverage | Choose 30 days to less than 3 months | |||
| Deductible Type | Per Term - one deductible for your selected coverage length | |||
| Deductible Amount (per person) | You choose $2,500 - $5,000 - $10,000 - $12,500 | |||
| Supplemental Accident Benefit (optional) | We pay up to: $1,000 - $2,500 - $5,000 - $10,000 - $12,500 | |||
| Cost Sharing | ||||
| Coinsurance (% you pay after deductible) | 30% or 40% | 20% or 40% | 20% | 0% |
| Coinsurance Out-of-Pocket Max | $5,000 or $10,000 | $2,000, $5,000 or $10,000 | $5,000 | $0 |
| Medical Services | ||||
| Doctor Office Visit | Coinsurance after deductible | Coinsurance after deductible | $50 copay (1st visit); coinsurance after deductible thereafter | Coinsurance after deductible |
| Urgent Care Center | $75 copay - applies to all plans | |||
| Emergency Room | $259 copay, then subject to deductible and coinsurance | |||
| Outpatient Surgery, Labs and X-rays | Coinsurance after deductible | |||
| Hospital Inpatient Services | Coinsurance after deductible | |||
| Prescription Drugs ($3,000 Max Benefit) | ||||
| Rx Coverage | Preferred Price Card + coinsurance after deductible | Preferred Price Card + coinsurance after deductible | Discount card only (avg. 20-25% savings) | Not covered |
Injury expenses eligible from day 1; illness expenses eligible from day 6. Discount card saves avg. 20-25% on Rx.
UHC1 Hospital Indemnity - Fill the Gaps in Your Short-Term Plan
Fixed cash paid directly to you when you're hospitalized or receive covered services - regardless of what your STM plan covers. Use it for deductibles, copays, lost wages, or any expense. Underwritten separately from your STM plan.
Benefit Schedule (Illustrative Ranges)
| Hospital Admission | Daily Hospital | ICU (Daily) | ER Visit | Ambulance | Surgery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000-$5,000 Lump-sum per admission to a licensed hospital |
$200-$500/day Daily benefit up to plan limit |
$400-$1,000/day Highest daily rate for ICU stays |
$150-$500 Per ER visit, admitted or not |
$150-$300 Ground or air transport |
$500-$2,500 Inpatient or outpatient |
How Hospital Indemnity Fills the Gaps in Your STM Plan
Your STM plan pays the hospital. Hospital Indemnity pays you - covering what falls through the cracks.
| Scenario | What Your STM Plan Does | What HI Pays You | Net Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day hospital stay (illness) | Bills after deductible + 20% coinsurance | $2,000 admission + $300/day x 3 = $2,900 | Deductible largely offset |
| Emergency room visit | $250 ER copay + coinsurance | $150-$500 ER benefit | ER copay covered |
| ICU admission (3 days) | Bills after deductible + coinsurance | $2,000 admission + $600/day x 3 = $3,800 | Most of deductible covered |
| Outpatient surgery | Coinsurance after deductible | $500-$2,500 surgery benefit | Reduces coinsurance burden |
Benefit amounts are illustrative ranges. Actual amounts depend on the benefit level you select. Hospital Indemnity is underwritten separately from UHC1 STM - an agent can quote both side by side.
Call (972) 666-0578 or have an agent call you - we quote both side by side at no extra cost.
STM + HPG Gap Bundle - Near-Comprehensive Coverage at a Fraction of COBRA or ACA Costs
Pair your UHC Short-Term plan with an HPG Gap plan to cover your deductible and coinsurance, then layer optional accident or critical illness riders for complete peace of mind.
What's in the Bundle
| Component | What It Covers | Role |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Short-Term Medical | Major medical: doctor visits, hospital, surgery, labs, ER - subject to deductible and coinsurance. Access to the UHC Choice Network - one of the largest in America. | Core coverage |
| HPG Gap Plan | Pays the deductible and coinsurance your STM plan leaves behind - dramatically reducing your out-of-pocket exposure after a claim. | Fills the gaps |
| Hospital Indemnity (optional) | Fixed cash paid directly to you for hospital admissions, ICU stays, ER visits, ambulance, and surgery - on top of what your STM pays. | Cash in hand |
| Accident Add-On (optional) | Supplemental benefit for accident-related expenses from day one - no deductible applies to accident claims. | Day-1 accident |
| Critical Illness Add-On (optional) | Lump-sum cash paid to you upon diagnosis of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and other qualifying conditions. | Lump-sum cash |
How the Bundle Compares
| Coverage Option | Est. Monthly Premium | Deductible Exposure | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACA Marketplace (unsubsidized) | $400-$900+/mo | $1,500-$9,100 | Varies by plan |
| COBRA continuation | $600-$1,800+/mo | Same as employer plan | Same as employer plan |
| UHC STM + HPG Bundle | Often $150-$450/mo | Largely offset by HPG Gap | UHC Choice - nationwide |
Premium estimates are for a healthy 35-year-old non-smoker in Texas. Actual premiums depend on age, ZIP, plan, and underwriting. STM plans are not ACA-compliant and exclude pre-existing conditions.
Call (972) 666-0578 or have an agent call you - we build a side-by-side comparison of STM-only vs. the full bundle at no cost to you.
ACA vs. Short-Term Health Insurance
Not sure which plan is right for you? Use this side-by-side guide to understand the key differences before you choose.
| Coverage Feature | ACA / Marketplace Plan | UHC Short-Term (STM) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium (typical) | $350-$900/mo (subsidy may lower cost) |
$80-$300/mo |
| Deductible | $1,500-$8,700 | $1,000-$10,000 |
| Subsidy Eligible | ✓ Yes (income-based) | ✗ No |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | ✓ Fully covered | ✗ Excluded Conditions within last 24 months not covered |
| Maternity Coverage | ✓ Included | ✗ Not covered |
| Mental Health & Substance Abuse | ✓ Included | ✗ Not covered |
| Preventive Care | ✓ Free (no cost share) | ✗ Limited / not covered |
| Doctor & Hospital Network | HMO or PPO varies by plan |
✓ UHC PPO One of the largest networks in the U.S. |
| Prescription Coverage | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included (discount card available) |
| When Can You Enroll? | Open Enrollment or SEP (limited windows) |
✓ Anytime Coverage can start next day |
| Plan Duration | 12 months | 30 days - 364 days Renewable up to 36 months |
| ACA-Compliant (MEC) | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
What's Covered (all plans)
The following medical benefits are provided using network providers and are subject to all policy provisions, the deductible, and any applicable copay or coinsurance (unless otherwise stated). You will find complete coverage details in the policy.
Ambulance Services
Ground ambulance service to a hospital for necessary emergency care.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Outpatient applied behavior analysis limited to $50,000 per policy term, per covered person.
Dental Services
Dental expenses for an injury to natural teeth suffered after the coverage effective date. Expenses must be
incurred within 6 months of the accident.
No benefits payable for injuries due to chewing as limited in the policy.
Diabetes
Diabetes equipment, supplies, and services.
- Diabetes self-management training when medically necessary as determined by a physician, prescribed by a physician, and provided by an appropriately licensed health care professional limited to:
- One diabetes self-management training program per covered person, per lifetime.
- Additional diabetes self-management training prescribed by a physician as medically necessary due to a significant change in the covered person’s symptoms or condition.
Durable Medical Equipment
Rental of wheelchair, hospital bed, and other durable medical equipment.
Home Health Care
Home health care prescribed and supervised by a doctor and provided by a licensed home health care agency.
Covered expenses for home health aide services will be limited to 7 visits per week and a lifetime maximum of 365 visits. Benefits for home health care will not extend beyond the term of your plan. Each 8-hour period of home health aide services will be counted as one visit. Private duty registered nurse services will be limited to a lifetime maximum of 1,000 hours. Intermittent private duty registered nurse visits are not to exceed 4 hours each and are limited to $75 per visit (2 hours per visit are applied toward the lifetime maximum of registered nursing).
No benefits payable for respite care, custodial care, or educational care.
Hospital Services
Daily hospital room and board at most common semiprivate rate; eligible expenses for an intensive care unit; inpatient use of an operating, treatment, or recovery room; outpatient use of an operating, treatment, or recovery room for surgery; services and supplies, including drugs and medicines, which are routinely provided in the hospital to persons for use only while they are inpatients; emergency treatment of an injury or illness. Covered expenses for use of the emergency room are subject to a copayment of $250 for each emergency room visit.
Hospital does not include a nursing or convalescent home or an extended care facility.
Medical Supplies
- Dressings and other necessary medical supplies.
- Cost and administration of an anesthetic or oxygen.
Newborn Care
-
- Pregnancy not covered, except for complications.
- Routine in-hospital care of a newborn for the first five days or until the mother is released which ever occurs first.
Outpatient Surgery Physician Fees
-
- Assistant surgeon fee for a doctor, limited to 20% of eligible expenses of the procedure, and 14% of eligible expenses of the procedure for another medical professional acting as an assistant surgeon.
- Professional fees of doctors, medical practitioners, and surgeons.
Preventive Care
-
- Colorectal cancer examinations, prostate-specific antigen testing, and other preventive care as required by your state and specified in the certificate.
- Children’s preventive health services for covered children as defined in the certificate.
Rehabilitation and Extended Care Facility (ECF) Must begin within 14 days of a 3-day or longer hospital stay for the same illness or injury. Limited to 60 days per policy term for both rehabilitation and ECF expenses.
Spine and Back Disorders
Benefits for treatment of spine and back disorders limited to $250 per person, per policy term.
Therapeutic Treatments
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
-
- Hemodialysis, processing, and administration of blood or components (but not the cost of the actual blood or components).
Transplant Expense Benefit
The following transplants are covered the same as any other illness: cornea, artery or vein grafts, heart valve grafts, prosthetic tissue and joint replacement, and prosthetic lenses for cataracts.
For all other covered transplants, see your certificate for “Listed Transplants” under Transplant Expense Benefits. The covered person must be a good candidate, as determined by us. The transplant must not be experimental or investigational. Covered expenses for “Listed Transplants” are limited to 2 transplants per policy term, per covered person.
Golden Rule has arranged for certain hospitals around the country (“Centers of Excellence”) to perform specified transplant services. If you use one of our “Centers of Excellence,” the specified transplant will be considered the same as any other illness and will include transportation and lodging incentive (for a family member) of up to $5,000. If a “Center of Excellence” is not used, covered expenses for the “Listed Transplant” will be limited to one transplant in any 12-month period with a maximum benefit of $100,000 for all expenses associated with the transplant.
If a “Center of Excellence” is not used, the acquisition cost for the organ or bone marrow is not covered.
No benefits payable for:
- Search and testing in order to locate a suitable donor.
- A prophylactic bone harvest and peripheral blood stem cell collection when no “listed transplant” occurs.
- Animal-to-human transplants.
- Artificial or mechanical devices designed to replace a human organ temporarily or permanently.
- Procurement or transportation of the organ or tissue, unless expressly provided in this provision.
- Keeping a donor alive for the transplant operation.
- A live donor where the live donor is receiving a transplanted organ to replace the donated organ.
- A transplant under study in an ongoing Phase I or II clinical trial as set forth in the USFDA regulation.
Indiana Specific Information:
C-016.1
Application fee is refundable.
-
- The definition of preexisting condition is replaced with: “Preexisting condition” means a condition for which the covered person received medical advice or treatment within the 12 months immediately preceding the date he or she became insured under the policy.
What's Not Covered (all plans)
This is only a general outline of the coverage provisions and exclusions. It is not an insurance contract, nor part of the insurance policy/certificate. You will find complete coverage details in the policy/certificate
General Exclusions
Benefits will not be paid for services or supplies that are not administered or ordered by a doctor and medically necessary to the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury, as defined in the policy.
No benefits are payable for expenses:
-
- For non-emergency services or supplies received from a provider who is not a network provider, except as specifically provided for by the policy.
- For a preexisting condition - A condition:
(1) for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 24 months immediately preceding the date the covered person became insured under the policy/certificate; or (2) that had manifested itself in such a manner that would have caused an ordinarily prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment within the
12 months immediately preceding the date the covered person became insured under the policy/certificate.
-
- A pregnancy existing on the effective date of coverage will also be considered a preexisting condition.
- NOTE: Even if you have had prior Golden Rule coverage and your preexisting conditions were covered under that plan, they will not be covered under this plan.
- That would not have been charged if you did not have insurance.
- Incurred while your coverage is not in force.
- Imposed on you by a provider (including a hospital) that are actually the responsibility of the provider to pay.
- For services performed by an immediate family member.
- That are not identified and included as covered expenses under the policy/certificate or are in excess of the eligible expenses.
- For services that are not covered expenses.
- For services or supplies that are provided prior to the effective date or after the termination date of the coverage.
- For weight modification or surgical treatment of obesity, including wiring of the teeth and all forms of intestinal bypass surgery.
- For breast reduction or augmentation.
- For drugs, treatment, or procedures that promote conception.
- For sterilization or reversals of sterilization.
- For fetal reduction surgery or abortion (unless life of mother would be endangered).
- For treatment of malocclusions, disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or craniomandibular disorders.
- For modification of the physical body in order to improve psychological, mental, or emotional well-being, such as sex-change surgery.
- Not specifically provided for in the policy, including telephone consultations, failure to keep an appointment, television expenses, or telephone expenses.
- For marriage, family, or child counseling.
- For standby availability of a medical practitioner when no treatment is rendered.
- For hospital room and board and nursing services if admitted on a Friday or Saturday, unless for an emergency, or for medically necessary surgery that is scheduled for the next day.
- For dental expenses, including braces and oral surgery, except as provided for in the policy/certificate.
- For cosmetic treatment.
- For reconstructive surgery unless incidental to or following surgery or for a covered injury, or to correct a birth defect in a child who has been a covered person since childbirth until the surgery.
- For diagnosis or treatment of learning disabilities, attitudinal disorders, or disciplinary problems.
- For diagnosis or treatment of nicotine addiction.
- For charges related to, or in preparation for, tissue or organ transplants, except as expressly provided for under Transplant Services.
- For high-dose chemotherapy prior to, in conjunction with, or supported by ABMT/BMT, except as specifically provided under the Transplant Expense Benefits provision.
No benefits are payable for expenses:
-
- For eye refractive surgery, when the primary purpose is to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- While confined for rehabilitation, custodial care, educational care, nursing services, or while at a residential treatment facility, except as provided for in the policy/ certificate.
- For eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, eye refraction, visual therapy, or any exam or fitting related to these devices, except as provided for in the policy/ certificate.
- Due to pregnancy (except complications), except as provided in the policy/certificate.
- For diagnostic testing while confined primarily for well-baby care, except as provided in the policy/certificate
-
- For treatment of mental disorders or substance abuse including court-ordered treatment for programs, except as provided in the policy/certificate.
- For preventive care or prophylactic care, including routine physical examinations, premarital examinations, and educational programs, except as provided in the policy/ certificate.
- Incurred outside of the U.S., except for emergency treatment.
- Resulting from declared or undeclared war; intentionally self-inflicted bodily harm (whether sane or insane); or participation in a riot or felony (whether or not charged).
- For or related to durable medical equipment or for its fitting, implantation, adjustment or removal or for complications therefrom, except as provided for in the policy/certificate.
- For outpatient prescription drugs, except as provided for in the policy/certificate.
- For surrogate parenting
- For treatments of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
- For alternative treatments, except as specifically covered by the policy/certificate, including: acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnotism, massage therapy, rolfing, and other alternative treatments defined by the Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health.
- If you entered into a settlement that waives your right to recover future medical benefits under a workers’ compensation law or insurance plan, this exclusion will still apply.
- Resulting from intoxication, as defined by state law where the illness or injury occurred, or while under the influence of illegal narcotics or controlled substances, unless administered or prescribed by a doctor.
- For joint replacement, unless related to an injury covered by the policy/certificate.
- For non-emergency treatment of tonsils, adenoids, hemorrhoids or hernia.
- For injuries sustained during or due to participating, instructing, demonstrating, guiding, or accompanying others in any of the following: sports (professional, or semi-professional, or intercollegiate except for intramural), parachute jumping, hang-gliding, racing or speed testing any motorized vehicle or conveyance, scuba/skin diving (when diving 60 or more feet in depth), skydiving, bungee jumping, or rodeo sports.
- For injuries sustained during or due to participating, instructing, demonstrating, guiding, or accompanying others in any of the following if the covered person is paid to participate or to instruct: operating or riding on a motorcycle, racing or speed testing any non-motorized vehicle or conveyance, horseback riding, rock or mountain climbing, or skiing.
- For injuries sustained while performing the duties of an aircraft crew member, including giving or receiving training on an aircraft.
- For vocational or recreational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, or occupational therapy, except as provided for in the policy/certificate.
- Resulting from experimental or investigational treatments, or unproven services.
Resulting from or during employment for wage or profit, if covered or required to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance under state or federal law.