The purpose of this website is to provide an
overview of this Short Term Medical Plan. Below are some frequently
asked questions regarding this valuable coverage.
Q. Who needs this type of coverage?
A. Short Term Medical Insurance is an ideal, affordable type of
medical insurance for those who are: unemployed, in between jobs,
recent college graduates, in need of an alternative to COBRA. You will
see that this comprehensive coverage provides many special and unique
coverage features while maintaining a very competitive premium
structure.
Q. Who is eligible for this coverage?
A. You and your spouse under age 65 (and not eligible for Medicare)
and you and your spouse's unmarried dependent children under age 19
(or under age 25 if a full-time student) who have a social security
number and can answer ÒNoÓ to the seven health questions on the
application. Children age 19 and over should apply separately.
Child-only coverage is available for ages 2 through 18. Child(ren)
alone can apply and are to use the 0-24 premium rate (male or female,
based on their gender) for the youngest child; and the per child rate
for each of the child siblings to be insured. The minimum age for a
child only coverage is 2 years old. The application must be completed
and signed by the parent or legal guardian.
Q. How does this coverage work?
A. The benefit options for covered expenses are per insured person per
coverage period. First, you meet your deductible. Choose from four
options: $250, $500, $1,000 or $2,500. Then Competitor Select STM pays
80% of the next $5,000 of covered expenses.
After this, The Competitor Select STM pays 100% of covered expenses up
to your lifetime maximum of $2 million per certificate.
Q. Once my coverage is issued, do I have
the option to select my doctors, hospitals and medical providers?
A. Yes. You have the freedom to select the doctors and hospitals of
your choice. This plan is not an HMO or PPO.
Q. How long may I be insured under this
plan?
A. The Competitor Select STM is issued on a temporary need and
terminates at the end of the period applied for. If the need for
temporary health insurance continues, you may apply for another new
STM* coverage period. Your application is subject to the eligibility
and underwriting requirements. Furthermore the coverage is not
continuous. Any condition that incurred expense during the last
coverage period will be treated as a Pre-Existing Condition, and
excluded under the next coverage period. Applicants over the age of 64
are not eligible to re-apply for coverage.
*Only if an STM Plan is available in your resident state at that time;
plan benefits, premium and features may vary.
Q. What are the coverage limits under
this plan?
A. This plan pays a lifetime maximum of $2,000,000 for each insured.
Please refer to the Exclusions and Limitations section on this for all
limitations.
Q. Are pre-existing conditions covered?
A. This plan does not provide benefits for pre-existing conditions,
work related conditions, and preventive care. If you or a dependent
have an existing health condition, you may want to consult with your
independent insurance agent prior to applying for or changing
health/medical insurance. Insurance fraud is a crime. Any person who,
with intent to defraud or knowingly facilitates a fraud against an
insurer, submits an application or files a claim containing false,
deceptive and/or incomplete information is subject to civil and
criminal prosecution.
Q. Are there expenses not covered under
this plan?
A. Yes, this plan is designed to protect you in the event of an
illness or injury and is not meant to cover routine exams and
preventive care. Short Term Medical is for temporary coverage only and
therefore does not include some of the benefits a permanent health
plan offers. Please refer to the Exclusions and Limitations section of
this web site.
Q. How do I apply for this coverage?
A. First, make sure you do not live in a state where the Plan is not
available. Next look up the rates that apply to you based on your
gender and zip code. Then, complete the application, e-sign it, and
send payment to the administrator along with your initial premium
payment to the address below.
Mail and make check payable to:
Health Plan Administrators, Inc.
P.O. Box 15900
Rockford, IL 61132-5250
Q. What should I do if I cannot download
and/or print the application found on this site?
A. Contact HPA, Inc. the Plan's Administrator, at 1-800-277-3323
between 8:30am- 5:00pm Eastern Time. Or, you may e-mail them at
newsales@hpa-inc.com. They will rush an application, rates and
coverage description right away.
Q. Can I get a refund of my premium if I
am not satisfied?
A. Once you receive your Certificate or Policy, carefully review all
information. If you are not satisfied for any reason, return the
Certificate (within 30 days of receipt) with your written request for
cancellation to HPA. Coverage will be cancelled as of the effective
date and you'll receive a full premium refund (minus admin fees and
dues), no questions asked.
Q. How is this coverage billed?
A. After submitting your enrollment form with first month's premium,
you will then be billed monthly or you can choose to prepay. You
indicate on your enrollment form how you wish to pay for your
coverage. You may elect to be billed for the monthly premiums (plus
the administration fee), OR you can select one of the other two
payment methods: (1) Automatic Pre-authorized Bank Withdrawal; or (2)
Credit Card - MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted.
Q. When does my coverage begin?
A. The insurance can be effective as early as 12:01 a.m. the next day
after the transmission date. However, the applicant can choose a later
effective date not to exceed 60 days from transmission date. Coverage
ends on termination date listed in your policy.
Q. Who is the Insurance Company?
A. TIG, Insurance Company/TIG Premier Insurance Company/Ranger
Insurance Company. The plan's administrator is Health Plan
Administrators, Inc. (HPA) is a fully licensed, full service
third-party administrator transacting business worldwide. HPA is a
third generation company dating back to 1939 and an industry leading
services include: professional customer service, prompt claims
payment, state of the art billing and reporting. For policy issue,
billing, commission accounting, claims adjudication, and policy owner
services, please call 1-800-397-5800.
This website provides a brief description of the
benefits, limitations, exclusions and other provisions of the Short
Term Medical Policy, Form AH27286 (or state variation) underwritten by
TIG Insurance Company/TIG Premier Insurance Company/ Ranger Insurance
Company. Benefits, benefit amounts, limitations, exclusions, and
availability may vary by state. For complete details, read your
coverage document immediately upon receipt. ©2003 HPA, Inc. All
rights reserved. TIG B-27286 6-12 12/03
