 TITLE: How to Get Health Insurance When You’re Unemployed CONTENT: What About Private Health Insurance?\n------------------------------------\nYou can buy health insurance outside of the Marketplace several ways:\n*   Directly through a health insurance company.\n*   From an insurance agent representing one insurer.\n*   From an insurance broker representing many different insurance companies.\nSome individual insurance plans sold outside the Marketplace are ACA-compliant, but many are not, so it's important to read the fine print carefully when considering such a policy.\nShort-term health insurance plans are a special type of individual health insurance. These plans last one year and can sometimes be renewed for up to 36 months. Unlike Marketplace policies, however, short-term health insurance policies aren't required to meet ACA guidelines. As a result, these plans typically offer more limited coverage than Marketplace plans; for example, they may not cover prescription drugs, pregnancy care or mental health care. They often have higher deductibles and may place an annual cap on the dollar amount of benefits you can receive.\nShort-term plans aren't required to cover preexisting conditions or even sell insurance to people who have them. If you do get a short-term plan and you have a preexisting condition, you'll likely pay more in premiums than if you didn't.\nComparing policies available in the individual insurance market can be confusing. Working with an insurance broker can help you navigate your options. END