Health Insurance for per diem nurses?

Published

Hi - I am thinking about a future situation, as I am in school now. I will probably be hired full time at a hospital when I finish care partner training and would have insurance with the hospital employer for that year or so. I would then go back to working part time as a care partner as I earn my BSN. What do you all do about health insurance if you are per diem? . .... Thanks for your answers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are healthy, you could probably get an individual policy. That's what I have. It's got a high deduc. - 5k - but the premiums are affordable -270/month for my daughter and me. Call an insurance broker. Online quotes will give you an idea (try ehealthinsurance.com) but you really don't want to make a final decision without consulting an expert.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have an individual health insurance policy, as I have been self-employed with a different line of work for a number of years, but i HATE it. (Just had emergency appendectomy, although usually have good health. Will be paying $5,000 for my portion from surgery,the max out of pocket for this year). ANyway, really was looking forward to some kind of nurse's group insurance - or do I only get employer based insurance if I am full time? Was hoping per diem nurses have better options than the individual health insurance policies that many people have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could COBRA your health plan through the hospital but it could cost you upwards $1000 mth. If you are lucky enough not to have a preexisting condition, you might be able to qualify for an individual health insurance plan.

I have never figured out why, for most people, health insurance is linked to your employer or your job. The United States is the only advanced country that does this. My employer does not offer health insurance, so I don't qualify for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have an individual health insurance policy, as I have been self-employed with a different line of work for a number of years, but i HATE it. (Just had emergency appendectomy, although usually have good health. Will be paying $5,000 for my portion from surgery,the max out of pocket for this year). ANyway, really was looking forward to some kind of nurse's group insurance - or do I only get employer based insurance if I am full time? Was hoping per diem nurses have better options than the individual health insurance policies that many people have.

My hosp. jobs have all offered health insurance for both full and part time. Part time usually pays much more of the premium, in the last case all of the premium - 500 bucks a month.

Other than the deduc., why do you hate your insurance? Did they try and weasel out of paying for your surgery?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

Your best bet is just to do a google search of ins. companies in your state, and call them. I use a high deduc. with a HSA, but that's just me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do have an individual health insurance policy plan. But I hate it because it's $2,500 deductible plus copay $2,500 which is $5,000 out of my pocket(great until my emergency surgery in May). Yes I know I could get lower co-pay & deductible but it's more per month.

What I was asking about health insurance was my original question: " I am thinking about a future situation, as I am in school now. I will probably be hired full time at a hospital when I finish care partner training and would have insurance with the hospital employer for that year or so. I would then go back to working part time as a care partner as I earn my BSN. What do you all do about health insurance if you are per diem?"

I should have stated it better - When a full time care partner, I will have the hospital insurance as a benefit. But when part time, what do I do about health insurance - from the other posts, it sounds as though health insurance might be offered as a benefit even when working at a hospital part time, say 16 hours a week? Guess if I work per diem, they don't offer health insurance as a benefit?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Have you explored all of your options through the school? I was always able to get a group health insurance policy through the school (or through the school's student association). I did that for both my MSN and my PhD. Both schools offered decent plans.

The larger the school, the more likely they are to have a good plan. Definitely investigate that thoroughyly before you assume that option doesn't exist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, llg! Wonderful idea. I will ask them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion