The IHC Group

The IHC Group offers Short Term Medical (STM) plans in around 35 states. The available plans and length of the available coverage term varies by state. Below you will find the states where IHC Group plans are available and the policy term duration's for their plans in each state.

The IHC Group STM plan provide an excellent base of protection. However, Short term medical (STM) plans do not cover all the services/treatments mandated under Obamacare (e.g. maternity, preventive care, outpatient mental health services and prescription drugs) and they do not cover any pre-existing conditions.

Therefore, to enhance your overall coverage, IHC Group offers several supplemental benefits (see further down this page). You can also add any or all the following supplemental benefits available on our US Supplemental Coverage page to make your overall plan as comprehensive as you want:

• Accident Protection Plans
• Critical Illness Plans
• Cancer Treatment Plans
• First Day Hospital/ICU Stay Protection
• 100% Preventive Care (Per ACA/Obamacare guidelines)
• Prescription Drug coverage

About The IHC Group

Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC), formed in 1980, is a holding company that is principally engaged in underwriting, administering and/or distributing group and individual specialty benefit products, including disability, supplemental health, pet, and group life insurance through its subsidiaries (Independence Holding Company and its subsidiaries collectively referred to as “The IHC Group”). The IHC Group includes three insurance companies (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company), and IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc., a technology-driven full-service marketing and distribution company that focuses on small employer and individual consumer products through general agents, telebrokerage, call centers, advisors, private label arrangements, independent agents.

The IHC Group Coverage

The IHC Group offers a variety of different STM plans. Each plan offers a range of deductibles and coinsurance choices. Here is additional information about their plans: 

NOTE: The IHC Group has suspended sales of their Connect Value plans as a result of the current COVID-19 situation. 

Connect STM - This traditional STM plan offers a $2 Million coverage term maximum with more standard STM plan coverage and fewer limitations than the Connect Value plans (above). 

For more details see the: Connect STM Brochure

Connect Plus - This plan offers the same benefits as the Connect STM plans (above) and includes up to $25,000 of coverage per term for pre-existing conditions.

For more details see the: Connect Plus Brochure

All plans offer the following: 

• $50 Office Visit Copay in network (1 to 3 visits per term depending on the length of the coverage term)
• Mammography, Pap and PSA Tests covered with no deductible and subject to coinsurance only (on recommended testing guidelines)
• Freedom to see any provider anytime
• Additional discounts by using the PHCS Limited Benefit Plan PPO Network

STM Extend plans - In the states listed below, the Connect STM, Connect Plus, Connect STM OV/Rx and Connect Plus OV/Rx plans can be extended for up to an additional 24 months up to a maximum of 36 months total per term. 

***IMPORTANT NOTE: STM Extend plans are NOT a 2x12 or 3x12 type of plan. That means there is NO change in policy number every 12 months AND NO change in monthly premium for up to the full 36 months! 

Connect STM OV and STM Rx, Connect Plus OV and Plus Rx - 

NEW! Updated Short-Term Medical Plans - Starting September 1, 2020 IHC Group is offering new Connect Short-Term Medical plans. You can select from four unique plans: Connect STM OV, Connect STM Rx, Connect Plus OV and Connect Plus Rx.

All plans offer the following: 

For more details see the:

Connect OV and RX STM Brochure

Connect Plus OV and Plus Rx Brochure

Both PPO Network and NO Network (Reference Based Pricing) Payment Options

Reference Based Pricing Model:

In all states except those listed below under "PPO Network Plans," the IHC Group plans use what is called a "Reference Based Pricing" payment model to pay providers. There is NO network with these plans. Consumers can see ANY doctor or hospital facility. Billing is repriced using a fee schedule that pays providers a multiple of what Medicare pays for their services.

If a provider wishes to review and discuss the allowed amount or initially objects to the reimbursement amount and bills the patient for an amount above the amount that the IHC Group plan pays (known as "balance billing"), then the IHC Group's plan administrator will work with that provider to come to an acceptable reimbursement to the provider. 

PPO Network Plans:

In the states listed below, the IHC Group plans utilize the specified PPO Networks. 

MI, UT, WI - Use the PHCS Value Network, wrapped by full Multiplan network. To look up providers in the Multiplan network, click here: 

Multiplan PPO Network Provider Search

LA, NH, PA, SD - Use the First Health PPO network. To look up providers in the First Health network, click here:

First Health PPO Network Provider Search

The IHC Group Plan Availability by State

The available states for each of the IHC Group plans is as follows: 

Connect Value - AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, WV, WY

NOTE:The IHC Group has suspended sales of their Connect Value plans as a result of the current COVID-19 situation.

Connect STM - AR, ID, KS, MD, ME, MN,MS, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, WI

Connect Plus - AR, KS, MD, ME, MS, MT, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN 

Connect STM OV and STM Rx, Connect Plus OV and Plus Rx - AL, AZ, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, NE, NV, OK, SD, TX,  UT, VA, WV, and WY. 

 STM Extend plans - AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, NE, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, and WY

The IHC Group Supplemental Benefits

The IHC Group offers a variety of different supplemental plan options that you can include with your STM plan. Plan availability varies by state. For all supplemental plans you can view plan details, see availability for your state, run quotes and apply for these plans at the "Quote and Apply" link below.

Accident and Critical Illness Insurance

Bridge:

Bridge, underwritten by Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc., is an Accident and Critical Illness product from IHC Specialty Benefits. If you have an accident or are diagnosed with a critical illness, the last thing you want them to worry about is money. You have health coverage for your medical bills but other costs can pile up. That's where Bridge can help.

There are four different Bridge plans with a range of benefit amounts. Benefit amounts vary by plan. Benefit ranges are as follows:

Bridge Plan Benefits and Quotes

The Bridge plan is available in these states:

Bridge Plans Brochure - The brochure for this plan is not available currently. Please ask for a copy.

Metal Gap 2:

Metal Gap 2 insurance provides benefits for covered accidents up to the selected maximum amount, or the actual expense you incur, whichever is less. Critical illness benefits provide a lump-sum payment that is sent directly to you and can be used for anything you choose.

Metal Gap 2 is available to the primary applicant up to age 64, his or her spouse age 18 to 64 and dependent children under the age of 26. Child-only plans are not available. All benefits terminate when the covered person has attained age 70.

Metal Gap 2 offers four different plans with a range of benefit amounts. All Metal Gap 2 plans are guaranteed issue with no health qualifications required.

Metal Gap 2 Plan Options

Accident Plan Benefit	Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit	Critical Illness Benefit
$2,500	$2,500	$2,500
$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
$7,500	$7,500	$7,500
$10,000	$10,000	$10,000

The Metal Gap 2 plan is available in all states except: CA, CO, MA, NH, NJ, NY and VA

 For more details see the: Metal Gap 2 Brochure

Independence Critical Illness Plans:

Independence Critical Illness Insurance provides lump-sum payments when a covered critical illness is diagnosed, giving your clients cash to use however they see fit- for medical bills, mortgages, daily living expenses and more. 

Coverage is available to the primary applicant age 18 through 64, their spouse ages 18 to 64, and dependent children under the age of 26. Coverage is guaranteed renewable until age 75.

Key features of Independence Critical Illness Insurance includes:

• Pays up to $100k lump-sum benefit per category on a first occurrence of a qualified critical illness
• Coverage is available for the entire family
• One family rate for any number of dependent children
• Accept/reject underwriting based on application questions
• Covered benefits are paid in addition to benefits received from any other plan
• You receive multiple benefit payouts if diagnosed with more than one covered critical illness   

Independence Critical Illness plans are available in these states: AL, AR, AZ,FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MO, NE, WV, WY

For more details see the: Independence Critical Illness Brochure

Supplemental Hospital Insurance:

The IHC Group's Independence Hospital Insurance and Independence Hospital Insurance Plus plans can help fill gaps in your health insurance coverage by providing cash benefits for unexpected or higher cost services. These plans pays benefits regardless of other coverage you may have, and benefits may be paid directly to you, unless you assign them to a physician, hospital or other health care provider. 

Independence Hospital Insurance Plans:

There are three plan options from which to choose. Plan features include:

• An ideal supplement to ACA or Short-Term Medical plans
• Protection against high deductibles
• Offers options for outpatient services, inpatient hospital, wellness and preventive care
• No network requirements or limitations
• Year-round enrollments
• No deductibles to meet

The benefits on each plan are as follows:

The Independence Hospital plan is available in these states: AL, AR, AZ, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NV, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, WV, WY

For more details see the: Independence Hospital Insurance Brochure

NEW: Vision Insurance:

Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC) now offers two great vision and hearing plans that can be sold alongside any of the other supplemental health insurance options.

Why choose Independent American Vision Insurance?

• No waiting period
• No underwriting
• Available for those up to age 99
• Access to the Avesis vision network and Amplifon hearing discounts

Choose between two options:

• Vision insurance with hearing discounts
• Vision and Hearing insurance combined

For more details see the: IAIC Vision Brochure

The IHC Group Short Term Medical Quote and Apply Online

The easiest way to quote and apply is through the IHC Group's secure online application link as follows:

Click Here to Quote and Apply

See if one of our alternative health plan solutions is right for you 

 If you would like to discuss your health insurance options to see if one of these IHC Group STM plans (combined with a Fixed Benefit plan and/or our other US Supplemental Plans) are right for you, please go to the link above with the image that says CALL ME and schedule a call with me on a day and time that works for you, and I will call you to review your options.