questions about health insurance costs for hospital RN's

medicrnohio, RN · Feb 3, 2005

All hospitals are different, some will not charge anything for your insurance and others expect you to contribute a small amount (large in some cases). Usually you have to be married to get insurance together. There are exceptions at some places, such as for same sex couples or unmarried domestic partners. If you choose not to get insurance some hospitals will pay more or give you extra money with each check.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2005

most insurance companies only cover a spouse, but you will need to ask the recruiter at the hospital or someone else in HR to be sure. Many pay a large portion of your benefits, with you paying a smaller portion each payday (Mine is about $25 every two weeks for health, life, disability, dental). Many hospitals require that you use their facility and their network of physicians. I personally do not have a problem with this, but some people do. You will probably be allowed to chose your preferred coverage and the price will vary accordingly. For instance, if you are the only one on the plan then the price will be less than you and your wife/GF together. These are questions to ask when you talk about money and benefits to the recruiter. You are wise to educate yourself now

begalli · Feb 3, 2005

My hospital offers a choice of a few different plans. There are two that are completely paid for by the employer, one is a PPO, one is an HMO. There is another one that, if we choose it, we are asked to make a contribution toward the group cost to the employer. It's neither a PPO or HMO, and you can completely choose your own docs and hospitals with this one.

The "free" plans include families at no additional cost. The more people in your family covered by the "not free" plan, the more the cost to the employee. All dental insurance and vision is at no cost to the employee and covers families as well.

In CA we have the domestic partners law. If a couple qualifies, they are entitled to the same benefits as a married couple - medical and dental benefits, take time off for a partners illness, collect in the event of the death of a partner (survivor benefits), etc.

In the state of NY, it seems like it is up to the individual employer whether or not they offer benefits to domestic partners. The partners must show an "interdependence" in more of a financial way as oppossed to an "emotional" way:

http://www.ins.state.ny.us/rg108241.htm

Scroll down thislist to find which insurance companies offer domestic partners insurance in NY:

http://personalinsure.about.com/cs/healthinsurance1/a/aa052204a.htm

KEVIN88GT · Feb 3, 2005

thanks everyone..this info has been helpfull:)