Health Insurance

[robpritc]

Hi, I have a quick question. As far as health insurance for nurses or any medical professionals for that matter--do you just get the same health insurances to choose from as anyone in any job would--ex. Blue Choice, Preferred Care, Blue Cross etc, and the same general rates OR do they have other insurance companies and/or lower rates for medical professionals--or any other discounts a nurse may get for health insurance? I am not sure if this question makes sense, but the reason I am asking is my sil works in a doctors office (front desk) and is on her husband's insurance, BUT she gets free doctors appointments where she works, and also free appointments at specialists, etc, even for family members just because she is an employee of a doctor's office, something about "professional courtesies."

Thank you.

Robin

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

HAHAHAHAHA!

Same medical. However, hospitals and offices are notorious for splitting one job into two to avoid paying for benefits.

You'll see horror story after horror story on here of nurses whose employers fired them after they were diagnosed with an illness.

[bill4745, RN]

No, the insurance is not cheaper.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I was surprized however (and pleasantly so) that when I visited the ER once at the hospital where I worked, they wrote off what my two insurances (mine primary and my husband's secondary).

Also, the private practice where I am currently employed pays for my health insurance.

[crissrn27, RN]

I actually am in the process of changing the family from my insurance, to my husbands, b/c his is about $400 less than mine a month, copays are better, etc. Everyone says "you work in a hospital, and don't have free insurance?" yeah, right!

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I actually am in the process of changing the family from my insurance, to my husbands, b/c his is about $400 less than mine a month, copays are better, etc. Everyone says "you work in a hospital, and don't have free insurance?" yeah, right!

I can top that..I WORK for an insurance company and MY personal health insurance offered by the insurance company I work for is WORSE than the policies we pay claims for!! But its the only health insurance I have available to me, my husband is self employeed and the premiums are very high, although, they aren't much lower than what I pay now..humm, maybe I should look into an individual policy..

I have a HUGE deductible to pay out of pocket before any claims are paid, my premium is out of this world and my actual benefits are limited!

To answer the question, no, we do not offer lower premiums or deductibles for health care professionals. People who work for doctors offices, clinics etc may get the "professional courtsey" rates but usually thats only offered IN the place they work.

[Noryn]

From my experience, if you work in a hospital generally you do get better benefits which are cheaper than someone in a comparable field. Of course it depends and usually you have to go to that hospital for the big discounts to apply.

The last hospital I interviewed for actually paid for your benefits, had an employee health clinic which was free and your trip to their ER was free. So often if you use their system your costs are substantially less if not free.

When I interviewed for a nursing home though the costs were outrageous, I think about 290 dollars a paycheck for insurance. Now I pay about 150 dollars but I am not in a healthcare facility. When I worked in the hospital it was around 100 dollars a paycheck.

[wayunderpaid]

I know somebody who worked in a dentist office who got fired the moment the doc found out she was pregnant. I told her she had rights, but she decided not to sue because she did not want the stress during pregnancy....

[robpritc]

Wow, Thanks everyone! I kinda thought I would get answers like "the insurance is the same as anywhere else," but not answers like they will fire you if they find out you are sick, etc.

I may eventually have to have our insurance under my name, that is why I asked. I am not working yet, just starting prereqs. in the spring.

Thanks again,

Robin

[AprilRNhere]

It's just like any other job. If you asked lawyers...or mechanics, secretaries etc....you'd hear great stories of awesome ins...and horror stories.

Our ins is the same. At the place I did preceptorship as a student...their ins was great. They could use 1 free ER visit per month (instead of clinic visit) and could fill perscriptions at the hospital at cost. They had many other perks as well. It all depends on the facility.