Health Insurance Between Assignments

Medic15251 · Jul 30, 2008

I would just keep your own health insurance if you want to take off several weeks between assignments or if you switch companies frequently. The travel company should increase your hourly rate between 1-3 dollars an hour if you decline their insurance. If you are relatively healthy and only go to a doctor a few times a year you would probably benefit from a high deductible plan with an HSA. They are very affordable.

jenhen82 · Sep 9, 2009

I don't think that answered the original question asked, and I'm wondering the same. I have found that maintaining my own insurance can actually cost the same or more than COBRA due to preexisting conditions-not to mention it never offers the same coverages as work insurance. I , too, would like to know what happens between assignments. I am in Birmingham at present while my husband goes to grad school. I have applied to 30 jobs in the area-nearly everything I could find open. Only two interviews, which produced no results. I realize the economy is not good and am considering travel. Health insurance between assignments was my only concern. I'd like to have some time between asignments with my husband so that our marriage doesn't completely fall apart, but I realize that insurance is more important than time off between assignments. I can't find an answer to whether or not there is an opportunity for any amount of time off between assignments while maintaining work insurance. I'm willing to pay cobra for short period between if that's what's necessary, but would like to know how it all works.

debsimb · Oct 29, 2009

Hello,

Usually if you work for a company and complete an assignment you will have health insurance through the end of the month. For example, if your assignment ends on the 4th of the month..you are covered until the end of the month...BUT if your assignment ends on the 28th of the month your insurance still ends at the end of the month!!

Generally (you need to check with your company) after your insurance ends you need to pick up another assignment in order to keep your benefits. Usually you will NOT need to cobra if you take 3 weeks or less off. So really your best bet is to take an assignment the ends during the first week of the month (which gives you coverage through the month) and pick up an assignment to start three weeks into the next next month--MAKE SURE THAT YOUR COMPANY HAS DAY ONE BENEFITS!!! Does this make sense?? This will give you around 5-6 weeks without having to cobra your insurance.

This is different for each company and you must make sure about your specific company. DO NOT go through your recruiter----ASK TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN YOUR BENEFITS DEPARTMENT an d ask these questions....If a company thinks that your are doing this...they may be reluctant to give you an assignment- do NOT draw attention to the fact that you are doing this (even though there is nothing wrong with it!!!).

Simply put..end and assignment during the first week of the month...and have your next assignment start on the third or 4th week of the next month...if you have day one benefits!

good luck