This article is intended for members enrolled in an individual health insurance plan.

If you’ve been hearing about temporary, or short-term, health care plans, they may seem like a good option to consider for health insurance because they may cost less than other types of plans. But what they cover is different than other plans, too.

Qualified health plans, sometimes known as Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, may cost more per month than short-term plans, but they offer more coverage options than many of the short-term plans. It’s important to be aware of the differences in coverage when you shop for a plan.

Here is a comparison of ACA plans and short-term plans for some popular coverage options.

Coverage Options	Affordable Care Act Plans	Short-Term Plans
Pre-existing conditions (such as asthma or diabetes)		Pre-existing conditions may be excluded
Preventive services, including immunizations		Preventive services are typically not covered
Prescription drugs		71% do not cover prescription drugs
Maternity care		100% do not cover maternity care
Mental health services, including substance abuse disorders		43% do not cover mental health services 62% do not cover substance abuse treatment
No limits to cost of care		Coverage is often limited to a set cost
Annually renewable when still available		Limited renewals