Health Care Reform: Should we all go per-diem?

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I was thinking, should we all go per-diem and make more money now that the health care reform bill passed? Do nurses qualify for this universal heathcare or is it just for the poor and nurses get taxed for it? I mean if we qualify I could see employers taking benefits away in a heart beat but then not paying us the difference of a per-diem non-benefited position.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

We won't really have "universal healthcare".

I see your point though. Per diem where I work also doesn't get vacation time, gets called off first without pay, so it's not something I'm interested in.

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You would still have to have health insurance, it is more expensive than hospital. The hospital may not use as per diem- as much due to less revenue.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I was not necessarily thinking per-diem. At my hospital you get paid more an hour if you do not take the benefits. I was thinking if the hospitals are going to take our benefits away because of the new bill we should opt out before they do and take the better pay before it is not available because they will plan on paying us the same; just without benefits.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

My hospital system self-insures. We have a good health insurance relationship with provider because we have such a huge pool (13000, mostly young and healthy) and our costs are kept low because of it--also, our provider knows if they start "playing" with raising our rates, their business will be DIMINISHED big time. So our system has an upper hand.

The other thing is that we have a wellness department that makes it their goal to help the "unfit" there are so many benefits to go with that--you get paid to lose weight and get your "health numbers" in the brackets (low cholesterol, high HDLS, etc.,)

I know I can't say this enough, but we just made the Fortune 100 best companies to work for (#32) I think....

There are hospital systems that are actually good for the patient, good for the HCP, and people are happy.

I guess I am just very blessed.

J

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Specializes in NICU Transport/NICU.
My hospital system self-insures. We have a good health insurance relationship with provider because we have such a huge pool (13000, mostly young and healthy) and our costs are kept low because of it--also, our provider knows if they start "playing" with raising our rates, their business will be DIMINISHED big time. So our system has an upper hand.

The other thing is that we have a wellness department that makes it their goal to help the "unfit" there are so many benefits to go with that--you get paid to lose weight and get your "health numbers" in the brackets (low cholesterol, high HDLS, etc.,)

I know I can't say this enough, but we just made the Fortune 100 best companies to work for (#2) I think....

There are hospital systems that are actually good for the patient, good for the HCP, and people are happy.

I guess I am just very blessed.

J

Wow, sign me up. Where do you work in South Florida. The Keys call me from time to time.

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I use other benefits besides the health care, so no I would not go per diem. I like my 4 weeks vacation, PTO, life insurance, etc. Right now IMHO its better to stay the course and see how things shake out. My husband does get extra $$$ if he doesn't take health insurance, but my job doesn't do that.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Wow, sign me up. Where do you work in South Florida. The Keys call me from time to time.

http://www.baptisthealth.net

It's so ahead of the game when it comes to reform--a lot of the stuff they're suggesting we're already doing.

We're #32 on the list--I meant to type 3 in front of the 2... =)

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Specializes in LTC.

The other thing is that we have a wellness department that makes it their goal to help the "unfit" there are so many benefits to go with that--you get paid to lose weight and get your "health numbers" in the brackets (low cholesterol, high HDLS, etc.,)

Thats a wonderful idea!

I wish the hospital system I worked for had that. I know another hospital around here has a weight watchers meeting that comes to it for staff, but I wasn't looking to work there.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Thats a wonderful idea!

I wish the hospital system I worked for had that. I know another hospital around here has a weight watchers meeting that comes to it for staff, but I wasn't looking to work there.

It's an actual department. They give $100 bonuses if you keep your health "numbers" in the "good" bracket--if you're off, they will help you.

We have our "own" employee health--ARNPs staff if, if we're sick we can go there instead of our PCP for minor things.

Our daycare as aftercare for children and ELDERLY people...the system pays for part of it--to help the employees with stressful fam situations.

We have an onsite hair salon, nail salon, dry cleaners--we're waiting for the grocery store--that's all we need..lol...

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My hospital system self-insures. We have a good health insurance relationship with provider because we have such a huge pool (13000, mostly young and healthy) and our costs are kept low because of it--also, our provider knows if they start "playing" with raising our rates, their business will be DIMINISHED big time. So our system has an upper hand.

The other thing is that we have a wellness department that makes it their goal to help the "unfit" there are so many benefits to go with that--you get paid to lose weight and get your "health numbers" in the brackets (low cholesterol, high HDLS, etc.,)

I know I can't say this enough, but we just made the Fortune 100 best companies to work for (#32) I think....

There are hospital systems that are actually good for the patient, good for the HCP, and people are happy.

I guess I am just very blessed.

J

That is amazing and so nice, it's an incentive to stay fit or become fit. :yeah:

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OP, please educate yourself on what the healthcare bill really is before you start making statements like that. Your employer will be fined if they take away your health insurance! A lot of people are getting their panties tied in a knot about this bill without even knowing what the bill is about.

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