Short Term Health Insurance in Texas

Texas allows an initial term under 12 months, renewable to a three-year total. Plans are medically underwritten and don't have to cover preexisting conditions.

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Matthew T. Giberti Matthew T. Giberti Published July 2026 4 min read
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At a glance

Short term plans are allowed in Texas, with an initial term of less than 12 months.
They can be renewed up to a 3-year (36-month) total, per the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and Texas rule 28 TAC 3.3602.
Plans are medically underwritten, they don't have to cover preexisting conditions and are not ACA minimum essential coverage.
Texas uses the federal marketplace (HealthCare.gov) for ACA plans, and Texas has not expanded Medicaid.
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What Texas allows

Texas permits short term health insurance and ties its definition of these plans to the federal rules under the Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 1509. In practice, the initial term of a Texas short term plan is less than 12 months.

The Texas Department of Insurance's own consumer guidance states that short term plans "last 12 months or less, but sometimes can be renewed up to 3 years." Texas rule 28 TAC 3.3602(d)(3) reinforces this by requiring the policy to "clearly state the duration of the initial term and the total maximum duration including any renewal options." So a Texas resident may see a plan that starts as an under-12-month term and can be renewed toward a 36-month total.

That same Texas rule (28 TAC 3.3602) sets guardrails on how these plans work. A short term plan may not be marketed as guaranteed renewable, it must be either nonrenewable or renewable without new underwriting. When a plan is renewable, the issuer may not deny the renewal or raise your rate based on your individual health status. Preexisting conditions may still be excluded or medically underwritten at the time you first apply, with a signed disclosure, and these plans are not ACA minimum essential coverage.

One federal note for context: the 2024 federal rule that would limit a short term plan to a 3-month initial term and a 4-month total is currently not being enforced, following an August 7, 2025 statement from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury. Because of that, Texas's own framework, an initial term under 12 months, renewable toward a 36-month total, is what applies in practice today.

Your options in Texas

If you're a Texas 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 that can bridge a gap of a few months up to a multiyear total under the Texas duration rules above. 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. This is the option to compare against short term coverage if you want full coverage.
Fixed indemnity and other excepted benefits, supplemental coverage (for example, fixed indemnity, dental, vision, or accident plans) that pays limited, defined benefits. These are allowed in Texas and treated as supplemental, they are not a substitute for major medical.
Medicaid, Texas has not expanded Medicaid, so eligibility is limited mostly to specific categories (children, pregnancy, disability, very low income parents). 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

Texas 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 Texas duration limits and the carrier's underwriting. That's a large part of its appeal as gap coverage, it can start quickly and outside of Open Enrollment. Just remember that if you're eligible for a subsidized ACA plan, a short term plan won't qualify you for those savings.

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 Texas:

Your age, older applicants generally pay more.
Where you live in Texas, 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 Texas allows renewals toward a 36-month total.
Medical underwriting, because short term plans in Texas 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 Texans 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 Texas law and Texas Department of Insurance guidance as of the last reviewed date and can change; confirm current terms and the specific plan's approved form before you enroll.