Should Travel Nurses Take Their Company’s Insurance?
Travel nurses are a crucial part of the healthcare industry, with over 1,733,502 currently employed in the U.S. They provide necessary care to patients across the nation, helping fill the gaps in areas that lack nursing staff.
Although they work in healthcare, many travel nurses face challenges with insurance coverage. Employer-provided plans may leave them without benefits for preventative care or adequate dental and vision coverage.
If you’re a travel nurse who moves from state to state, finding the right travel nurse health insurance can mean improved well-being and peace of mind. Understand your insurance plan options and how switching to private health insurance for travel nurses may be the right move.
Standard Travel Nurse Insurance Plans
Standard travel nurse insurance plans are typically provided by travel nurse agencies, acting as their primary employer. These plans usually include basic health coverage for medical, dental, and vision.
However, these coverages often come at a higher cost or with limited benefits compared to permanent staff plans. This occurs because travel nurses frequently work across different states and facilities, posing challenges in maintaining consistent insurance coverage. Insurance providers may offer reduced coverage or higher premiums to account for the added complexity and risk associated with covering them in multiple locations.
The plans these agencies offer may also have limitations regarding pre-existing conditions and may have high deductibles or copays. This leaves some travel nurses facing out-of-pocket expenses or seeking additional insurance options to fill the gaps in their employer-provided coverage.
Alternatives to Traditional Insurance
If you’re a travel nurse looking for better health coverage, private insurance companies can offer specialized health insurance for travel nurses that provides necessary coverage for your health. Private plans through organizations like United National Healthcare include:
Specialized Coverages
Specialized travel nurse insurance options address the specific challenges and risks associated with their unique work environment. These plans ensure that whether they’re in a big city hospital or a rural clinic, they have access to healthcare services.
This type of coverage is tailored to the various settings and situations travel nurses encounter, providing comprehensive health benefits that suit their lifestyle.
Short Term Plans
Short term plans offer the flexibility that travel nurses need, aligning with the temporary and often unpredictable nature of their assignments. These plans can be adjusted or canceled to reflect each new position's start and end dates, making them a cost-effective solution for healthcare coverage.
This adaptability ensures that travel nurses are covered exactly when needed, without the burden of long-term commitments or gaps in coverage.
What to Look for in an Idea Insurance Plan
When considering travel nurse insurance plans, knowing what to look for can help you choose the option that matches your healthcare needs. Companies offer different plans that you can customize based on your specific travel nurse assignments and work structure.
Here’s what to look for when deciding on a plan:
Location flexibility. Ensure the plan offers coverage across different states or regions to accommodate your travel assignments. This is crucial for seamless healthcare access wherever your job takes you.
Workplace stability. Look for plans that remain consistent despite changing assignments or agencies, providing continuous coverage without interruption.
Extensive coverage. Choose a plan that includes comprehensive health services, from preventative care to emergency treatments, to ensure you’re protected in any situation.
Ideal copay and deductible ratios. Find a balance between affordable co-pays and deductibles that won’t strain your budget, ensuring the plan is cost-effective for regular and unexpected healthcare needs.
Network breadth. Consider the size of the plan’s healthcare provider network, ensuring you have access to a wide range of specialists and facilities.
Telehealth options. Having access to telehealth services is a bonus, offering convenience for minor concerns or consultations. For instance, this allows you to meet with your primary care provider, even if you’re stationed in another location.
Mental health services. Given the stressful nature of travel nursing, ensure the plan covers mental health support and counseling. This can help you prevent burnout, a common concern among nearly 31.5% of nurses who left the profession.
Prescription coverage. Make sure the plan offers comprehensive prescription drug coverage, especially if you have ongoing medication needs like diabetes or Crohn's disease.
Should You Take Your Company’s Insurance?
Taking your company’s insurance can provide some benefits, such as convenience and basic coverage. However, finding specialized insurance might be a better choice if you’re looking for coverage that’s more tailored to your specific needs as a travel nurse.
Specialized plans can offer more comprehensive and flexible options that better address your profession’s unique challenges and risks, such as varying locations and assignment lengths.
Get Specialized Travel Nurse Insurance With United National Healthcare
Understanding your travel nurse health insurance options is important to your well-being and ability to perform life-saving work with patients. At United National Healthcare, we specialize in medical coverage for travel nurses with flexible plans and benefits to meet your needs.
Speak to a representative today to find private health insurance near you so you can access preventative care, emergency services and routine health exams wherever your job takes you.
