Short Term Health Insurance in Tennessee

Tennessee sets no duration cap of its own, so plans currently run from about 6 to 36 months under the unenforced federal limit. They're medically underwritten and not ACA coverage.

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Matthew T. Giberti Matthew T. Giberti Published July 2026 3 min read
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At a glance

Short term plans are allowed in Tennessee, which has no duration cap of its own and defers to the federal definition.
In-market plans currently run from about 6 up to 36 months total, availability that rides on the federal limit being unenforced.
Plans are medically underwritten, commonly exclude preexisting conditions, and aren't ACA minimum essential coverage.
Tennessee uses HealthCare.gov and has not expanded Medicaid.
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What Tennessee allows

Tennessee permits short term health insurance but sets no duration number of its own, there is no Tennessee statutory short term duration cap. Instead, Tennessee defers to the federal definition. In practice, plans on the market run from about 6 months up to a 36-month total.

Because Tennessee has no cap of its own, that up-to-36-month availability exists only because the federal 3-month / 4-month limit is currently not being enforced (per the August 7, 2025 federal statement). If federal enforcement resumes, Tennessee's available durations could revert to the shorter federal limits, so treat 36-month availability as current, not permanently guaranteed.

On the regulatory side, insurers must file their rates and forms with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), and Tennessee's uniform individual accident and sickness policy provisions apply (Tenn. Code Ann. 56-26-108). Preexisting conditions may be excluded and commonly are, and these plans are not ACA minimum essential coverage.

Your options in Tennessee

If you're a Tennessee resident weighing your choices, here's what's realistically on the table (described as coverage types, not specific products):

Short term health insurance, temporary, medically underwritten coverage. With no state cap, plans currently run up to a 36-month total, though that availability tracks the federal posture. Best understood as a stopgap, not comprehensive coverage.
ACA marketplace plans, comprehensive major medical coverage sold through HealthCare.gov. These cover essential health benefits, can't turn you down for preexisting conditions, and may come with income based subsidies.
Fixed indemnity and other excepted benefits, supplemental coverage that pays limited, defined benefits (treated as an excepted benefit under Tenn. Code Ann. 56-7-109 and 56-1-105). Not a substitute for major medical.
Medicaid, Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, so eligibility is limited mostly to specific categories. Some adults fall into a coverage gap; it's still worth checking eligibility.

As an independent, carrier neutral brokerage, we don't steer you to any single insurer, the right fit depends on your health, budget, and how long you need coverage.

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How enrollment works here

Tennessee uses the federally facilitated marketplace at HealthCare.gov for ACA plans. Enrollment there 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.

Short term health insurance is different: because it isn't an ACA plan, you can generally apply for it any time of year, subject to the carrier's underwriting and its TDCI-filed forms. It can start quickly and outside of Open Enrollment, but it won't qualify you for ACA subsidies.

What it costs

We don't quote premiums on this page, prices change and depend on your specific situation, but here are the factors that drive the cost of coverage in Tennessee:

Your age, older applicants generally pay more.
Where you live in Tennessee, pricing varies by county and rating area.
Tobacco use, often affects the rate.
Who's covered, an individual, a couple, or a whole family.
The deductible and coverage level you choose, lower out of pocket exposure usually means a higher premium.
The length of the term, short term pricing reflects how long the coverage runs, and Tennessee currently allows plans up to a 36-month total.
Medical underwriting, because short term plans in Tennessee are underwritten, your health history can affect both eligibility and price.

For ACA marketplace plans, cost works differently: your premium depends on income (which determines subsidy eligibility), age, county, tobacco use, and the metal level you pick. Many Tennesseans qualify for subsidies that lower the monthly cost.

Matthew T. Giberti Matthew T. Giberti Licensed Insurance Producer · National Producer Number: 20698856 Licensed Insurance Producer · National Producer Number: 20698856 About Matthew →

Short term health insurance is not major medical coverage and is not minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. These plans are medically underwritten, may exclude preexisting conditions, and are not required to cover essential health benefits such as maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health services, or preventive care. They may impose annual or lifetime dollar limits. Short term coverage does not satisfy any applicable coverage requirements and does not qualify you for ACA premium subsidies.

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 Tennessee law and Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance guidance as of the last reviewed date and can change; confirm current terms and the specific plan's approved form before you enroll.