Where does a per diem nurse obtain health insurance in NYC?

U.S.A. New York

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Hello Nurses,

I work per diem in a hospital, no benefits of course. I enjoy my job very much and I am waiting for a full time position to open up in my unit. Who knows when that will be, but I am optimistic. In the meantime, I truly need health insurance but I can't afford the high premiums. I recently graduated from nursing school and I am paying a few loans, credit cards, etc. I am a single female living in NYC.

I shopped around for private insurance and it is too expensive. Cobra is twice as much as a private insurance. I called my union and they don't offer health insurance for per diem nurses. I don't qualify for the obamacare enrollment because my income surpasses what they require. My hospital will charge me as much as the private insurances if I decide to buy from them. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.

Baby Nurse :o

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.
I don't qualify for the obamacare enrollment because my income surpasses what they require.

Do you mean you make too much to qualify for a subsidy? You can still buy insurance on the New York Insurance exchange.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Do you mean you make too much to qualify for a subsidy? You can still buy insurance on the New York Insurance exchange.

That is the Catch 22 of Obamacare. In your situation the ACA is not all that affordable. You my friend have the privilege of helping to pay the subsidies for those who qualify.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Better get health insurance soon or the IRS will be comin after ya.

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I also thought about this problem when I was considering a per diem job just for relocating back to NYC. However I decided it's not worth it based on the fact that the hours of per diem is not guaranteed while there is no benefit at all as well as I have to pay the union. For the part time position. I was told that I still need to pay $344 biweekly for health insurance and union dues $73 monthly. This is not acceptable at all with all these payments deducted on my paycheck. I will have not much left to pay for my student loans and rent. If you don't mind paying $700 a month for health insurance,you may consider a part time position.

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Specializes in CVICU.
I also thought about this problem when I was considering a per diem job just for relocating back to NYC. However I decided it's not worth it based on the fact that the hours of per diem is not guaranteed while there is no benefit at all as well as I have to pay the union. For the part time position. I was told that I still need to pay $344 biweekly for health insurance and union dues $73 monthly. This is not acceptable at all with all these payments deducted on my paycheck. I will have not much left to pay for my student loans and rent. If you don't mind paying $700 a month for health insurance,you may consider a part time position.

You could try Obamacare but it will probably be more expensive. Just for the heck of it I checked the exchange here in Minnesota and for a family of 4 it costs $1,400/mo with a $6,000 deductible.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

If your employer doesn't offer insurance to per diem employees, you may still qualify for an Obamacare subsidy. If you're 29 or younger, you can buy a catastrophic plan, which is better than nothing. A face-to-face meeting with an Obamacare Navigator might help.

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