This chart highlights the state laws related to health insurance options, including Marketplace plans, individual mandates, COBRA, short-term health plans, and more. Check back often, as this chart is updated frequently.
If you have a self-funded plan, certain state laws may not apply. For information on how to determine if your plan is self-funded, see our blog post.
For more health insurance information, visit our Health Insurance Materials & Resources.
| State | Has a State Run Health Insurance Marketplace: | States that Imposed Individual Mandate | State COBRA Law (covering employers with less than 20 employees): | States Limiting Short-Term Health Plans | Has a State High Risk Plan for Consumers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA | ||||||||||
| ALASKA | X | https://achia.com/ | ||||||||
| ARIZONA | x 18 months | https://benefitoptions.az.gov/cobra | ||||||||
| ARKANSAS | x 120 days | https://insurance.arkansas.gov/site/assets/files/2536/cobra-2020.pdf | ||||||||
| CALIFORNIA | x | http://coveredca.com | Effective January 1, 2020 | https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/health-care-mandate/index.html | x 36 months | https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/HealthCareinCalifornia/TypesofPlans/KeepYourHealthCoverage(COBRA).aspx | No Plans Allowed (CA SB910) | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB910 | X | https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Documents/MRMIP/mrmip-memberhandbook.pdf |
| COLORADO | x | http://www.connectforhealthco.com/ | x 18 months | https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/cobra | Significant regulation including disclosure requirements and may not exceed 6 months. As a result, no short term insurance companies are offering plans in CO. | https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-10-insurance/co-rev-st-sect-10-16-102.html | ||||
| CONNECTICUT | x | https://www.accesshealthct.com/ | x 30 months | https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CID/30MonthContinuationFactSheetpdf.pdf?la=en | Plans must cover essential health benefits, and typically doesn't cover pre existing conditions. | https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/connecticut-health-insurance/health-plans/short-term | ||||
| DELAWARE | x 9 months | https://insurance.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/01/DomesticForeignInsurersBulletinNo51AMENDED.pdf | Plans are limited to 3 months | https://www.healthmarkets.com/content/short-term-health-insurance-delaware#:~:text=Can%20I%20Buy%20Short%2DTerm,than%20once%20in%20a%20year. | ||||||
| *DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | x | https://dchealthlink.com/ | Effective January 1, 2019 | https://www.dchealthlink.com/individual-responsibility-requirement | x 3 months | https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/32-732 | Plans are limited to 3 months, do not allow renewals, and cannot exclude pre-existing conditions that have been treated in the last 12 months. Due to the regulations, no plans are available in DC at this time. | https://www.healthinsurance.org/short-term-health-insurance/dc/ | ||
| FLORIDA | x 18 months | http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.6692.html | ||||||||
| GEORGIA | x | https://georgiaaccess.gov/ | x 3 months | http://ga.elaws.us/law/section33-24-21.1 | ||||||
| HAWAII | x 3 months | https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/2021/title-21/chapter-393/section-393-15/ | Plans are limited to 90 days and cannot be sold to anyone eligible to purchase a plan in the exchange during the previous calendar year | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/archives/measure_indiv_Archives.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1520&year=2018 | ||||||
| IDAHO | x | http://www.yourhealthidaho.org/ | New short-term plans limited to 4-month durations; Enhanced short-term plans no longer available for purchase | https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/1103806/2838 | ||||||
| ILLINOIS | x 12 months | https://cms.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/cms/benefits/stateemployee/documents/cobra/an-employers-guide-to-group-health-continuation-coverage-under-cobra.pdf | As of 1/1/25, plans under 365 days cannot be issued or renewed. | https://idoi.illinois.gov/consumers/short-term-limited-duration-insurance.html | ||||||
| INDIANA | Plans cannot impose benefit cap less than $2 million. | https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/1034743 | ||||||||
| IOWA | x 9 months | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/509B.3.pdf | X | https://hipiowa.com/ | ||||||
| KANSAS | x 18 months | https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_022_0009.html | Policies may only be renewed once. | https://codes.findlaw.com/ks/chapter-40-insurance/ks-st-sect-40-2-193.html | ||||||
| KENTUCKY | x (uses HealthCare.gov for enrollment) | https://kynect.ky.gov/s/?language=en_US | x 18 months | https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/Documents/howcanikeepmycoverage071317.pdf | ||||||
| LOUISIANA | x 12 months | https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/2006/6/82752.html | ||||||||
| MAINE | x | https://www.coverme.gov/ | x 12 months | https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/frequently-asked-questions/cobra-mini-cobra | Plans must expire at the the end of the calander year no matter when it was sold and cannot be sold to someone who had short term insurance in the past 12 months. | https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/24-A/title24-Asec2849-B.html | ||||
| MARYLAND | x | http://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/ | x 18 months | https://insurance.maryland.gov/Insurer/Documents/bulletins/bulletinlh08-13continuationcoverage.pdf | Plans are limited to three months and cannot be renewed | https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/962405 | ||||
| MASSACHUSETTS | x | https://www.mahealthconnector.org/ | Has been effective since 2006 | https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-care-reform-for-individuals | x 18 months | https://www.mass.gov/service-details/minicobra-continuation-of-coverage-benefits-guide | Plans must comply with the state’s guaranteed-issue and rating requirements. As such, no short term insurance companies are offering plans at this time. | https://www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/board_meetings/2018/05-10-18/Federal-Policy-and-Regulatory-Update-051018.pdf | ||
| MICHIGAN | Plans are limited to a single 185 day term in a 365 day period. | https://www.michigan.gov/difs/news-and-outreach/faq/insurance/short-term-limited-duration | ||||||||
| MINNESOTA | x | http://mn.gov/hix/ | x 18 months | https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/notices/cobra-policy.jsp | The plans are nonrenewable and cannot last more than 185 days. | https://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/health/consumer-protections/limited-duration.jsp | ||||
| MISSISSIPPI | x 12 months | https://www.dfa.ms.gov/cobra | ||||||||
| MISSOURI | x 18 months | https://www.mchcp.org/stateMembers/cobra.asp | ||||||||
| MONTANA | ||||||||||
| NEBRASKA | x 6 months | https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-1640 | ||||||||
| NEVADA | x | https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/ | x 18 months | https://law.justia.com/codes/nevada/2010/title57/chapter689b/nrs689b-245.html | Plans are limited to 185 days with no renewals. | https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/short-term-limited-durations-plans/ | ||||
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | x 18 months | https://www.insurance.nh.gov/consumers/health-insurance/cobra-and-continuation-coverage | A short-term plan cannot be issued to anyone in New Hampshire who has had more than 540 days of short-term coverage in the past 24 months. | https://www.insurance.nh.gov/consumers/health-insurance/new-hampshires-federally-facilitated-health-insurance-marketplace/short-term-plans | ||||||
| NEW JERSEY | x | https://www.getcovered.nj.gov/ | Effective January 1, 2019 | https://nj.gov/treasury/njhealthinsurancemandate/ | x 18 months | https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_insurance/ihcseh/bulletins/sehblt07_02.pdf | No short term plans allowed. | https://www.healthinsurance.org/short-term-health-insurance/new-jersey/ | ||
| NEW MEXICO | x | https://www.bewellnm.com/ | x 6 months | https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2011/chapter59A/article18/section59A-18-16/ | Plans are limited plans to 3 months, cannot be renewed, and cannot be sold to anyone who had a short term policy during the past 12 months. As such, no short term health insurance companies offer plans in New Mexico at this time. | https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/1028834 | X | https://www.nmmip.org/ | ||
| NEW YORK | x | http://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ | x 36 months | https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/health_insurance/cobra_and_premium_assistance | All health insurance plans must be guaranteed renewable. As such, short term health insurance policies are not permitted. | https://www.dfs.ny.gov/reports_and_publications/press_releases/pr1806211 | ||||
| NORTH CAROLINA | x 18 months | https://www.shpnc.gov/individual-members/cobra-plan-overview | ||||||||
| NORTH DAKOTA | x 39 weeks-36 months | https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t26-1c36.pdf | Requirements differ depending on if it is an individual short term plan or an association short term plan. | https://www.insurance.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/Bulletins/2018/20180919%20Bulletin%202018-2.pdf | X | https://www.chand.org/ | ||||
| OHIO | x 12 months | https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3923.38 | In Ohio, short-term health plans are limited to initial terms of no more than three months, and total durations (if renewable) of no more than four months. | https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/insurance.ohio.gov/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2018-05.pdf | ||||||
| OKLAHOMA | x 63 days-6 months | https://oksenate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-12/os36.pdf | ||||||||
| OREGON | x 9 months | https://dfr.oregon.gov/insure/health/understand/coverage/Pages/state-continuation.aspx | Plans are limited to 3 months and can not be renewed for another 60 days after the policy expires. | https://dfr.oregon.gov/business/reg/health/pages/short-term-guidance.aspx#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20Oregon%20law%20limits%20short,within%2060%20days%20of%20expiration. | ||||||
| PENNSYLVANIA | x | https://www.pennie.com/ | x 9 months | https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/insurance/documents/coverage/documents/health/pa%20mini%20cobra%20update%20final%2003272015.pdf | ||||||
| *PUERTO RICO | Medicaid in PR - not an ACA Marketplace | https://medicaid.pr.gov/ | ||||||||
| RHODE ISLAND | x | http://www.healthsourceri.com/ | Effective January 1, 2020 | http://www.tax.ri.gov/healthcoveragemandate/index.php | x 18 months | https://employeebenefits.ri.gov/benefit-programs/active-employees/health-benefits/cobra | Plans must cover all essential health benefits and state-mandated benefits, so there are no plans available for sale in Rhode Island. | https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE27/27-50/27-50-3.htm | https://www.doi.sc.gov/703/South-Carolina-Health-Insurance-Pool | |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | x 6 months | https://www.doi.sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11353/2019-State-Continuationpdf | X | https://www.doi.sc.gov/703/South-Carolina-Health-Insurance-Pool | ||||||
| SOUTH DAKOTA | x 18 months | https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/58-18-7.5 | ||||||||
| TENNESSEE | x 3 months | https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-56-insurance/tn-code-sect-56-7-2312.html | ||||||||
| TEXAS | x 6/9 months | https://www.tdi.texas.gov/hmo/documents/enrolleecobra.pdf | Plans are limited to initial terms of no more than 3 months. | https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.1509.htm | ||||||
| UTAH | x 12 months | https://insurance.utah.gov/consumer/health/extension-conversion-rights/extension | Utah requires short-term plans to have benefit caps of at least $1 million, and coinsurance of no more than 50%. | https://insurance.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/286STLD-Disclosure.pdf | ||||||
| VERMONT | x | http://healthconnect.vermont.gov/ | Effective January 1, 2020 | https://info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/mandate_FAQ | x 18 months | https://humanresources.vermont.gov/benefits-wellness/cobra | Plans are limited plans to 3 months and renewals are not allowed. | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2018/H.892 | ||
| VIRGINIA | x | https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/ | x 12 months | https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title38.2/chapter35/section38.2-3541/ | ||||||
| WASHINGTON | x | http://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/ | https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/health-insurance/health-insurance-coverage/what-you-need-know-about-short-term-medical-plans#:~:text=Can%20I%20buy%20a%20short,months%20and%20cannot%20be%20renewed. | X | https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/health-insurance/health-insurance-coverage/washington-state-health-insurance-pool-wship | |||||
| WEST VIRGINIA | x 18 months | https://www.wvinsurance.gov/Portals/0/pdf/pol_leg/rules/ins/114-93 - Mini-COBRA - FINAL FILE - 3-20-12 - sy - CORRECTED NUMBERING - 8-15-12.pdf?ver=2012-08-15-145558-257 | ||||||||
| WISCONSIN | x 18 months | https://oci.wi.gov/Documents/Consumers/PI-023.pdf | ||||||||
| WYOMING | x 12 months | https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2011/title26/chapter19/section26-19-113/ | X | https://doi.wyo.gov/consumers/whip | ||||||
| GUAM | Guam Dep't of Public Health and Social Services - not an ACA Marketplace | http://dphss.guam.gov/ | ||||||||
| LAST UPDATED | 8/2025 | 8/2025 | 8/2025 | 8/2025 | 8/2025 |