Competitor Select Temporary Medical Insurance

TIG Temporary Medical Insurance - FAQ

The purpose of this page is to provide an overview of this Temporary Medical Health Insurance Plan. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding this valuable coverage.

Q. Who needs this type of Temporary Medical Insurance coverage?
A. Temporary Medical Health 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 Temporary Medical Insurance 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 No 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 Temporary Medical Insurance 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 the Competitor Select plan?
A. The Competitor Select Temporary Medical Insurance plan is issued on a temporary need and terminates at the end of the period applied for. If the need for Temporary Medical 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 Temporary Medical Insurance 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 Temporary Medical Insurance plan?
A. First, (Get an online quote) 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. us, at 1-800-544-9505 between 8:30am- 5:00pm Central Time. Or, you may e-mail us. 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 Temporary Medical Insurance 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 Temporary Medical Insurance 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