I notice “short-term limited-duration” insurance plans for sale outside of the Marketplace, and they are cheaper than many other health plans. What is a short-term limited-duration health plan?

“Short-term limited-duration” insurance plans are intended to fill a temporary gap in health coverage. The maximum duration of short-term plans varies by state. Short-term plans must disclose to consumers that these plans are “NOT comprehensive health coverage.” Short-term plans often do not have the consumer protections found in Marketplace plans. For example, short-term plans can exclude coverage of pre-existing health conditions. Also, many short-term plans do not cover essential health benefits such as prescription drugs, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or maternity care. Several states have prohibited or heavily restricted the sale of these policies.