Short Term Health Insurance Cost by State and Age (2026): What to Expect
Short term health insurance costs range from about $55 a month for a young adult in a permissive state to over $420 a month for a 60-year-old in a higher-cost market in 2026. State law, your age, and your deductible choice are the three biggest price drivers. These are estimates only and not insurance advice.
Why the same plan costs differently across state lines
Short term health insurance premiums are set by individual carriers, not by a federal formula, and state law plays a large role in shaping what is available and at what price. Some states ban short term plans entirely or cap them at a few months. Others allow full 364-day terms with renewals. The result is that a 40-year-old in one state might pay $120 a month while someone identical in another state pays $200 or finds no plan available at all.
State rules that affect price and availability
- States with very limited or no short term plans: California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and a handful of others either ban these plans or restrict them so tightly that few carriers participate.
- States with 3-month maximum terms: These states follow the federal rule that predated 2018 guidance changes. Plans are available but cannot exceed 90 days.
- States allowing up to 364-day terms: Most states in the South, Midwest, and Mountain West permit longer terms, giving carriers more flexibility and typically more plan options per buyer.
Premium ranges by age and state tier (2026)
| Age band | Restricted states (shorter terms) | Permissive states (longer terms) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | $70 to $130 | $55 to $120 |
| 30 to 44 | $110 to $190 | $90 to $170 |
| 45 to 54 | $180 to $300 | $150 to $290 |
| 55 to 64 | $250 to $450 | $200 to $420 |
These are general ranges for a single adult with a mid-range deductible. Family plans add a per-person or composite rate on top. Actual quotes can sit above or below these figures depending on the carrier, the specific benefit design, and your health history at time of application. Check your state's rules before shopping, because availability matters more than price if there are no qualifying plans where you live. The short term health insurance cost calculator can give you a quick estimate for your state and age combination.
Short term health insurance cost in California and states with restrictions
California effectively bans short term health plans, as do New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Residents of those states generally must use an ACA marketplace plan, employer coverage, Medicaid, or COBRA. If you live in one of these states, checking your marketplace subsidy eligibility at your state's health exchange is the practical first step. See short term vs ACA marketplace cost for a full comparison.
How age rating works on short term plans
Unlike ACA marketplace plans, which cap how much more an older applicant can be charged (generally no more than three times the youngest adult rate), short term plans face no such ceiling in most states. A 60-year-old may pay four to six times what a 25-year-old pays for the same plan design. This steep age curve is one reason short term plans look most attractive to younger, healthier applicants and less so as you approach retirement age.
Other cost factors on top of state and age
- Deductible choice: Moving from a $1,000 to a $5,000 deductible can cut a monthly premium by 25 to 40 percent.
- Benefit maximum: Plans with a $250,000 lifetime cap cost less than plans with a $1 million cap, but expose you to more uncovered cost on a serious claim.
- Tobacco use: Many carriers charge an additional 10 to 25 percent for current smokers.
- Coverage add-ons: Some plans let you add limited prescription or telemedicine benefits for a small additional premium.
Best short term health insurance options by state
The best plan for your state depends on carrier availability in your market. National carriers such as UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and various regional BlueCross BlueShield plans offer short term products in many states, though their products differ by state. Aetna also participates in some markets. Compare at least two or three carrier quotes alongside state-specific availability before choosing. A licensed broker can surface plans not listed on general comparison aggregators and confirm what your state allows.
Getting an accurate quote for your state
Online aggregators can surface multiple carrier quotes side by side, which is the fastest way to compare state-specific pricing. A licensed agent or broker who works with multiple carriers can often find plans not listed on general comparison sites and can confirm whether your state allows the term length you want. Always request a quote specific to your age, state, and desired deductible before treating any range in this article as your actual cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a short term plan in any state? No. Several states ban them or restrict them to very short terms. Confirm availability in your state before planning around this type of coverage.
Does where I live affect my premium even within the same state? Sometimes. A few carriers use county-level rating, but most apply a single statewide rate for short term products.
If I move to a new state, does my coverage follow me? Usually not without limitations. Short term plans are state-specific, and a mid-term move may void or significantly alter your coverage. Check your plan documents before relocating.
Bottom line
Short term health insurance costs range from around $55 a month for a young adult in a permissive state to over $400 a month for a 60-year-old in a higher-cost market in 2026. These are estimates only and not insurance advice. State rules on term length and carrier participation shape availability as much as price. Get a real quote for your state and age, compare at least two or three plans on total cost not just premium, and talk to a licensed agent if your state options seem limited. See also: monthly cost overview and is it worth it.
Get real short term health insurance quotes
Compare free, no-obligation quotes from licensed insurance carriers near you.Get my free quotes
Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission from quote requests, at no cost to you.
Related guides
- How Much Does Short Term Health Insurance Cost Per Month? (2026)
- Short Term Health Insurance vs ACA Marketplace Plan: Cost Compared (2026)
- Is Short Term Health Insurance Worth It in 2026? Weighing Cost and Risk
- What Does Short Term Health Insurance Cover in 2026 (and What Does It Leave Out)?
- Short Term Health Insurance Between Jobs in 2026: Cost, COBRA, and What to Choose
- Short Term Health Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions in 2026: What Is (and Is Not) Covered
- Short Term Health Insurance Cost Guide