Buying short-term health plans in Virginia
- Virginia law limits short-term plans to no more than six months and prohibits renewal.
- Lawmakers in Virginia passed legislation to allow longer short-term plans, but Gov. Northam vetoed it.
- The Trump Administration is allowing longer short-term plans, but Virginia’s law will continue to apply in the state.
- At least six insurers offer short-term plans in Virginia.
Virginia law limits short-term coverage
Long-standing regulations in Virginia clarify that a short-term health insurance plan must be nonrenewable and have a duration of not more than six months.
Duration of short-term plans limited to six months in Virginia
Until October 2, 2018, federal regulations limited short-term health insurance plans to no more than three months in duration, and prohibited renewals. The new federal regulations (which allow short-term plans to have initial terms of up to 364 days and total duration, including renewal, of up to 36 months) are clear in noting that states may impose tighter regulations than the new federal rules.
So short-term plans in Virginia have maximum terms of six months, and cannot be renewed.
Legislature approved longer short-term plans, but Governor Northam vetoed the bill
Lawmakers in Virginia passed legislation in 2018 aimed at expanding access to short-term plans, but Governor Ralph Northam vetoed it in an effort to protect consumers and the ACA-compliant risk pool.
So Virginia’s existing rules continue to apply, despite the Trump Administration’s new rules for short-term plans.
Which insurers offer short-term plans in Virginia?
- Everest Prime
- Golden Rule (UnitedHealthcare)
- LifeShield
- National General
- Standard Security Life
- Companion Life
Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org. Her state health exchange updates are regularly cited by media who cover health reform and by other health insurance experts.