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Short-Term vs. Private Health Insurance in Maryland: 2027 Comparison
Quick answer: Short-term plans are temporary and often exclude pre-existing conditions, and the rules vary by state. Private shared-network PPO plans are longer-term, with broader networks, but they also use underwriting. Neither is ACA coverage.
Short-term plans
Built as temporary coverage. Many limit the length of the plan, may not cover pre-existing conditions and may skip benefits like maternity or prescriptions. Federal and state rules on these plans have changed recently, and some states restrict or ban them, so ask what is allowed in Maryland before you rely on one.
Private shared-network plans
These can be kept longer and use national PPO networks such as Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO. They ask health questions and can exclude conditions, but they are built as ongoing coverage rather than a bridge.
Side by side
| Short-term | Private shared-network | |
|---|---|---|
| Intended length | Temporary | Ongoing |
| Health questions | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-existing conditions | Usually excluded | Depends on plan |
| Network | Varies | National PPO |
| ACA coverage | No | No |
Which fits
For a short gap, a short-term plan may be considered where allowed. For a longer horizon, compare private plans and the marketplace. Maryland runs its own state-based marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, and limits short-term plans to three months with no renewals. Private options here are narrower than in most states, so the honest answer is usually a careful comparison, not a promise of savings.
See live private-plan pricing or check your options and we will run both markets for you. Prices, carriers and rules change, so treat anything here as a starting point, not a quote.