Anyone decline company health insurance?

NedRN · Sep 15, 2014

For some reason still a mystery to me after 20 years of travel, agencies typically do not pay a decent stipend if you decline their insurance, often just $100 a month (it should be more like $500 a month or so). Technically, they can reimburse your current premium tax-free if they wish to (with proof of insurance and perhaps premium receipts), and I've negotiated with agencies to do just that. But in many cases, their group health plan does not really allow an opt out in this manner, to help avoid self selection (only those with major health issues sign up for the plan). But if this is important to you, nothing is lost to bring this up and perhaps even select the agencies to work with based on their willingness to integrate your insurance needs.

But if you already have insurance through a spouse's plan, even $100 a month is better than nothing!

Underthemoonicp6 · Sep 15, 2014

Thanks for the advice. I am not covered under anybody else I am just looking into covering myself. I work with multiple different agencies so I was looking to get around having to re-enroll every 3 months and also having to always provide new insurance info for visits. I figured if I could get a decent increase in my offer by declining the insurance then it might be worth it to just take care of it on my own.

dutchie · Sep 15, 2014

I had thought about taking whatever stipend they offered for declining company insurance also. Unfortunately, the few companies I have decided to go with charge $9-10 a week for insurance and just don't charge you if you don't take it. No stipend.

THRN88 · Sep 19, 2014

My company pays me 500 a month tax free to provide my own insurance... no proof of insurance needed and they added it into my housing stipend every week...

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2014

THRN88,

would you pm me the name of your company?

thank you,

Maggie

NedRN · Sep 19, 2014

My company pays me 500 a month tax free to provide my own insurance... no proof of insurance needed and they added it into my housing stipend every week...

If they are not requiring proof, it is just a higher housing stipend. They are saying that just to make you feel good. Check the GSA housing rate, I think you will find your total stipend does not exceed it.