Availability of short-term health insurance in Tennessee

Yes. As of early 2026, there were at least six insurers offering short-term health insurance in Tennessee.

Tennessee defaults to the federal rules regarding short-term health plans. After the Trump administration announced that it would no longer prioritize enforcement of the 2024 federal rule that had limited short-term plans to total durations of no more than four months, insurers in Tennessee began offering plans with longer durations.

The available plans have maximum durations that range from six months to 36 months, depending on the plan, the insurer, and whether the policy is renewable.

If you’re in need of health insurance coverage in Tennessee outside of the annual open enrollment period for ACA-compliant major medical plans (November 1 to December 15), your first step should be to see whether you’re eligible for a special enrollment period that would allow you to enroll in an ACA-compliant plan.

There are a variety of qualifying life events that will trigger a special enrollment period and allow you to buy a plan through the health insurance exchange in Tennessee. These plans are purchased on a month-to-month basis, so you can enroll in one (with a premium subsidy if you’re eligible) even if you’re only going to need it for a few months before another policy takes effect.

Short-term health insurance plans can be purchased in Tennessee by applicants who meet the underwriting guidelines the insurers use. In general, this means being under 65 years old (some insurers put the age limit at 64 years) and in fairly good health.

Short-term health medical insurance plans typically include blanket exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so they are not adequate or affordable (due to the cost of monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs) for someone in the Volunteer State who is in need of ongoing medical care.²

Before you sign up for a short-term plan, make sure you understand the specific healthcare benefits the plan will provide. For example, most short-term health insurance plans do not cover outpatient prescription drugs.² Some do include prescriptions in their covered benefits, but you’ll want to make sure that you’re not mistaking a prescription discount plan for real prescription benefits.

You’ll also want to understand whether the plan imposes specific dollar limitations on healthcare services such as inpatient hospital stays, surgery, etc. (in addition to the plan’s overall benefit maximum).

From Knoxville to Memphis, there are times when short-term health insurance might be the only option available, such as:

• If you missed open enrollment for ACA-compliant coverage and do not have a qualifying life event that would trigger a special enrollment period.
• If you’re not eligible for Medicaid or a premium subsidy in the exchange, an ACA-compliant plan might be unaffordable.

People who are ineligible for premium subsidies include:

• Those who earn too much to qualify for subsidies (meaning more than 400% of the federal poverty level) If your ACA-specific modified adjusted gross income is just a little above the subsidy-eligible threshold, there are steps you can take to reduce it.)
• Those who earn less than the poverty level in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid. (Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid.)
• People who cannot use the exchange/Marketplace or Medicaid due to an undocumented immigration status.

Insurers that offer short-term plans in Tennessee are required to file the rates and plans with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and there are specific state rules that apply to rate and form filing in Tennessee for plans that aren’t subject to ACA (Obamacare) regulations (including short-term health plans).

Several sections of Tennessee insurance statute Title 56) apply to short-term plans sold in the state, including

• 56-7-2301 – 2368, Mandated Insurer or Plan Coverage
• 56-7-2401 – 2410, Mandated Scope of Practice
• 56-7-2501 – 2508, Mandated Insurer or Plan Options
• 56-7-2601 – 2606, Mandated Offerings of Coverage