Insurance coverage

[pinkiepieRN]

The travel company I'm working with (and every other one I've looked at) offers two different types of insurance: the cheaper Open Access Plus In-Network (OAPIN) - Exclusive provider with a $1000 deductible or the more expensive Open Access Olus (OAP) - Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) with a $500 deductible. I have some chronic medical problems coverage begins from day #1 of the assignment with the OAPIN plan whereas coverage does not begin until the 1st of the month after 30 days on the assignment. With my medical issues, I'd rather not wait 30 days for my coverage to kick in but I know that the PPO is the best option for me and my situation. Can anyone explain to me how this works or why I have to wait 30 days after starting my assignment for the PPO coverage to start?

[NedRN]

The benefits specialist at that agency would be your best bet for information. I can tell you that generally, insurance companies hate, hate, hate self selection. That is because folks with pre-existing conditions will understandably always pick the plan with the best benefit to them. Waiting periods are designed to make it harder for those folks to immediately get benefits that cost the insurance company money immediately. That's the insurance biz.

You are probably best off getting on a good group insurance plan and then COBRA it so you can keep it without that influencing agency or assignment choices.