It sounds like you had the equivalent of “short term health insurance.” They might not have called it that back then, but it’s sold now under that name (with limitations on how long you can remain in the policy that were relaxed recently) to remain ACA compliant. You can still buy these type of plans (at least in my state, North Carolina) for under $100/mo. There are lifetime maximums, exclusions for pre existing conditions, and high deductibles, but that’s probably the same as what you had pre-ACA as well.
These plans are typically referred to as “junk insurance” but if you can’t afford or just don’t want a more comprehensive plan they’re better than nothing.
It's not. I had a low deductible and a low yearly maximum out of pocket. They didnt deny me for a pre existing condition, my knees, and I had 2 knee surgeries while on the insurance and my low deductible and co-insurance meant I spent less the $3000 for both surgeries combined.
