Health Insurance Stipend

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Will be traveling soon. In the next few months. The Cobra from my current work will be about $1000/month for the two of us which is a tad salty. And as it's an HMO that requires a PCP for just about everything it's a bit unrealistic to keep due to this also. I've check ehealthinsurance and I'm looking at $800/month for a no deductible PPO.

Anyone know what a travel agency may give as a stipend for health insurance? I know some do have it, but I've read isn't all that great. Or is this something else I can negotiate as an additional stipend in exchange for a lower hourly rate?

[NedRN]

For reasons I don't understand, most agencies pay much less for an insurance stipend than for actual insurance. Taxable too. The IRS rules are however, that they can reimburse you tax-free with receipts (which prove both the insurance and the amount). I've talked agencies into doing this a couple of times so it is doable. You can make anything your priority in finding an agency, just remember all your compensation comes from the same pot.

No matter who your employer is and how they pay for insurance, the premium is effectively coming out of your pocket. I think you can count on $800 to $1,000 going forward for insurance for two (most nurses won't be eligible for a subsidy) so you need to get over the newly exposed sticker shock on something you've actually been paying for already.

I agree that an HMO is probably unworkable for most travelers so a PPO is the way to go. The main thing to check is the nationwide availability of providers. Price also varies a lot from state to state from what I've been reading. So perhaps any insurance and shop as you travel for something better. As far as I know, living in a state (as a traveler) makes you eligible for that state's exchange, and I don't think it can be taken away when you change your address to another state.

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Thanks NedRN! Your advice is always spot on.