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Short-Term Health Insurance in California

You can't buy one: California has banned short-term plans since 2019, and the federal non-enforcement changes nothing here. What to use instead.

At a glance

Short-term medical insurance is not available in California — state law bans insurers from selling, renewing, or offering it (Cal. Ins. Code 10123.61), effective January 1, 2019.

The August 2025 federal non-enforcement of the short-term rule does not change this — California's ban is independent of federal policy.

For comprehensive coverage, Californians use Covered California, the state's ACA marketplace, or Medi-Cal.

Fixed indemnity and other excepted benefits are still legal in California, but they're supplemental — not a substitute for major medical.

Why short-term medical isn't available in California

California prohibits short-term limited-duration insurance outright. Cal. Insurance Code 10123.61(a) states: "Commencing January 1, 2019, a health insurer shall not issue, amend, sell, renew, or offer a policy of short-term limited duration health insurance in this state." The provision was added by SB 910 (2018) and remains in force in the current (2025) codification.

The statute defines short-term coverage as a policy with an expiration date less than 12 months after the original effective date (10123.61(b)), so the practical effect is that any non-ACA short-term product is prohibited — there is no shorter version that's allowed instead.

Importantly, the federal government's August 2025 decision not to enforce its own short-term rule does not revive short-term insurance in California. The state ban is independent of federal policy, so no carrier may lawfully sell or renew a short-term plan to a California resident regardless of the federal posture. (California's market is overseen by two regulators: the California Department of Insurance, which administers this ban, and the Department of Managed Health Care, which regulates HMOs and most comprehensive health plans.)

What to consider instead

Since short-term medical isn't an option, here's what California residents can realistically use (described as coverage types, not specific products):

Covered California (the ACA marketplace) — comprehensive major-medical coverage that covers essential health benefits, can't turn you down for pre-existing conditions, and may come with income-based subsidies. This is the primary route to real coverage in California.

Medi-Cal — California's expanded Medicaid program, which covers many low-income residents at little or no cost. Worth checking first, since eligibility is broad in California.

Fixed indemnity and other excepted benefits — supplemental coverage that pays limited, defined benefits. These remain legal in California (fixed indemnity is carved out of "health insurance" under Cal. Ins. Code 106(b)(2)), but they are supplemental only and not a substitute for major medical.

As an independent, carrier-neutral brokerage, we don't sell short-term plans in California — no one lawfully can. We can help you compare the coverage that is available.

How enrollment works here

California runs its own state-based marketplace, Covered California (coveredca.com), for ACA plans. Enrollment works on a schedule:

Open Enrollment happens once a year, typically each fall through early winter, for coverage that starts the following January.

Special Enrollment Periods are available year-round if you have a qualifying life event — for example, losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby.

Medi-Cal is different: you can apply any time of year, and if you qualify, coverage can start without waiting for Open Enrollment. Because California's Medi-Cal eligibility is relatively broad, it's worth checking before anything else.

What it costs

Because short-term medical isn't sold in California, the real cost question is about the coverage that is available — and we don't quote premiums here, since they depend on your situation. A few factors to keep in mind:

For Covered California plans, your premium depends on income (which determines subsidy eligibility), age, region, tobacco use, and the metal level you choose. Many Californians qualify for subsidies that lower the monthly cost.

For Medi-Cal, coverage is available at little or no cost to those who qualify, based mainly on household income and size.

For fixed indemnity or excepted benefits, cost depends on the benefit amounts and who's covered — but remember these are supplemental, so you'd typically pair them with real coverage, not rely on them alone.

Matthew T. Giberti Licensed Expert · NPN 20698856 · Updated July 2026

Short-term medical insurance is not available for sale in California; state law prohibits insurers from issuing, renewing, or offering it. Fixed indemnity and other excepted benefits that remain legal in California are supplemental coverage — they are not minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act, do not cover the full set of essential health benefits, and are not a substitute for major medical coverage.

GetHealthPlans.com is operated by MTG Insurance Agency, an independent, carrier-neutral brokerage. We do not issue insurance and are not a government agency or the health insurance marketplace. Regulatory details on this page reflect California law and California Department of Insurance guidance as of the last-reviewed date and can change; confirm current details before making coverage decisions.