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Health Sharing Basics

Health Sharing vs. Short-Term Health Insurance: Temporary Options Compared

Health sharing vs. short-term (temporary) health insurance: what each is, current federal rules on short-term plan length, pre-existing conditions.

By Health Sharing Compass Editorial Team · Published · 3 min read

If you need something temporary, the two options people compare most are short-term health insurance and a health share. Both usually cost less than an unsubsidized ACA plan, and both come with fewer protections. The difference: short-term plans are insurance, and health shares are not.

What short-term health insurance is

Short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) is a type of health insurance designed to fill temporary gaps, such as between jobs. According to CMS, it's generally not subject to federal individual-market protections, including the bans on:

  • discrimination based on health status
  • pre-existing condition exclusions
  • lifetime and annual dollar limits on essential health benefits

How long short-term plans can last right now

The rules have shifted, so check the current state of play:

  • 2024 rule: For plans sold on or after September 1, 2024, the federal definition limited the initial term to 3 months and the total to 4 months, including renewals (CMS).
  • August 2025: The Departments of Labor, HHS and the Treasury said that, until new rulemaking applies, they don't intend to prioritize enforcement of that definition, and that states may take a similar approach or apply their own state-law definition (DOL).
  • State example: Oklahoma told carriers they could follow its statute, allowing terms under 12 months and up to 36 months total, with approval (Oklahoma Insurance Department).
  • Pending: The federal regulatory agenda lists a proposed rule to amend the STLDI definition (RegInfo.gov). Check its status before you buy.

Bottom line: what's available, and for how long, depends heavily on your state.

What a health share is

A health care sharing ministry is a voluntary arrangement where members share eligible medical bills under written guidelines. It isn't insurance, can't guarantee payment and isn't supervised by state insurance regulators (NAIC). Most require agreement with a statement of beliefs.

Side by side

Short-term health insuranceHealth care sharing ministry
Is it insurance?YesNo
Legal obligation to payYes, per policy termsNo, sharing is voluntary
Regulated byStates (generally exempt from ACA individual-market rules)Generally not insurance regulators
Pre-existing conditionsMay be excludedOften limited or phased in (e.g., not shared in year 1 at America's HealthShare)
LengthLimited; depends on federal and state rulesOngoing membership, no set end date
EnrollmentVaries by state and insurerAny time of year
Faith statementNoUsually required

Sources: CMS, DOL, NAIC, AHS guidelines.

Which fits a temporary gap?

  • A short, defined gap (for example, between jobs with a start date): short-term insurance is built for this, if your state allows it. You get a contractual promise, within its limits.
  • An open-ended need for a lower-cost alternative, plus alignment with a ministry's beliefs: a health share may fit, as long as you accept that nothing is guaranteed.
  • You have a known condition or need care now: neither is likely to help much. Check Medicaid and Special Enrollment options first; see how fast coverage can start.

For the broader landscape, see health sharing vs. other types of health coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get temporary health insurance?

Short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) is designed to fill temporary gaps between coverage (CMS). Availability and maximum length depend on your state.

How long can a short-term health plan last?

The 2024 federal rule limited new plans to a 3-month initial term and 4 months total. In August 2025 the federal Departments said they won't prioritize enforcing that definition while they reconsider it, and states may apply their own definitions (DOL). Check your state's rules.

Is a health share the same as short-term insurance?

No. Short-term plans are insurance, regulated by states, though exempt from many ACA rules. A health share is not insurance and doesn't guarantee payment (NAIC).

Sources

  1. Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage (CMS-9904-F) Fact Sheet (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, March 28, 2024)
  2. Statement of U.S. Departments of Labor, HHS and the Treasury regarding short-term, limited-duration insurance (U.S. Department of Labor, August 7, 2025)
  3. Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance (RIN 1210-AC41), Unified Agenda entry (Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs)
  4. Bulletin No. 2025-08: Federal Changes to the Enforcement of Short-Term Limited Duration Plans (Oklahoma Insurance Department, September 17, 2025)
  5. Not All Products Are Health Insurance (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
  6. Sharing Guidelines (America's HealthShare (Melita Sharing Ministry, Inc.))

Sources were accessed on October 9, 2026. Linked pages may have changed since then.

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