Best private health insurance for travel nurses

Specialties Travel

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I would like to hear from travel nurses who have private health insurance. As a solo travel nurse, it seems practical to obtain private insurance to cover any gaps between assignments and to ensure coverage in the case of contract cancellations, using different agencies, etc. It is obvious that a traveler would want to choose a national provider network.

If you don't mind sharing these details, I'm interested in knowing:

-What type of insurance do you have? How much do you pay monthly for your policy? Cost of deductibles? Prescriptions?

-Does your insurance include dental and vision, or do you have separate insurance for that?

-What has your overall experience been with this insurance company and your policy?

Thank you!

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Perhaps your best bet (especially if your current plan has nationwide providers) is to COBRA your current plan. You will pay the actual cost of the insurance (plus a 2% admin fee) but be prepared for sticker shock after your subsidized paycheck deduction. But the cost will be similar to a Marketplace plan - better known to you as Obamacare perhaps. And it may be hard to find a Marketplace plan with other than emergency benefits outside of your home state.

Trump has loosened up healthcare insurance so you can buy emergency coverage only which should be really cheap. Go to a private insurance agent to explore that option if you are young and healthy.

Most agencies have much worse plans that you are used to. When you are exploring such plans, always ask them what the cost to COBRA them would be. If under about $450 a month, probable not a good plan. As a traveler, you will learn that you actually pay for everything, subsidies are fake. All subsidies do even for staff is hiding your real costs and reducing your cash compensation the hospital could otherwise afford to pay you. No free lunch.

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Good to know! You seem to be very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of travel nursing. Your responses are much appreciated!

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I forgot to mention that you can COBRA an existing plan for 18 months. By that time you may have a longer term solution.

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On 9/6/2019 at 6:57 PM, NedRN said:

Perhaps your best bet (especially if your current plan has nationwide providers) is to COBRA your current plan. You will pay the actual cost of the insurance (plus a 2% admin fee) but be prepared for sticker shock after your subsidized paycheck deduction. But the cost will be similar to a Marketplace plan - better known to you as Obamacare perhaps. And it may be hard to find a Marketplace plan with other than emergency benefits outside of your home state.

Trump has loosened up healthcare insurance so you can buy emergency coverage only which should be really cheap. Go to a private insurance agent to explore that option if you are young and healthy.

Most agencies have much worse plans that you are used to. When you are exploring such plans, always ask them what the cost to COBRA them would be. If under about $450 a month, probable not a good plan. As a traveler, you will learn that you actually pay for everything, subsidies are fake. All subsidies do even for staff is hiding your real costs and reducing your cash compensation the hospital could otherwise afford to pay you. No free lunch.

What is a subsidized paycheck deduction? I am paying for Cobra right now as I left my Hospital job and I am considering travel nursing

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Virtually all employees have a hidden health insurance subsidy paid by the employer. COBRA is an ex-employee paying the full underlying cost of the health insurance.

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