Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career but it can also come with unique challenges. One of the most important considerations for any travel nurse is health insurance. Knowing which is best for you can be challenging with so many options available. In this article, we'll explore the different types of health insurance available to travel nurses and help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you and find the best medical insurance for travel nurses.

What Is Health Insurance and Why Is It Important for Travel Nurses?

Health insurance is an essential form of protection for individuals and families. It helps cover the cost of medical care, including preventive care, doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. It also helps protect against high out-of-pocket costs resulting from unexpected medical expenses.

Having health insurance is essential to ensuring access to quality healthcare services. Without it, people may be unable to afford the necessary treatments or medications. This can lead to serious health problems down the road. Health insurance also provides peace of mind in knowing that if something happens, you have a safety net to help cover the cost of your medical care.

The 1.7 million travel nurses working in the US face unique challenges regarding health insurance. Since they are often on the move, finding a plan that provides coverage in multiple states can be complicated. With the need for special protection to cover travel-related expenses and a lack of coverage from employers due to the temporary and transient nature of travel nursing, travel nurses must often take out their own private health insurance. But finding affordable private health insurance plans can be challenging if not equipped with the right information. 

Where Can Travel Nurses Get Health Insurance?

Travel nurses have unique needs when it comes to health insurance coverage. It's important to explore all your options before deciding which one is right for you, as each type of coverage will provide different levels of protection for different circumstances. Private insurers, employer-sponsored plans, government-sponsored marketplaces, and spousal or family member's policies are all potential options for travel nurses.

Private Health Insurance Plans

Private health insurance plans can provide travel nurses with coverage in multiple states. These carry varying premiums and deductibles depending on what's included in the plan. Most importantly, they offer the flexibility to travel quickly without worrying about being tied to one state or employer. Private plans vary widely in terms of cost and coverage, so travel nurses should consider their individual needs before selecting a plan.

As 1099 or contract employees, travel nurses — or 1099 nurses — are not only responsible for their own taxes but their healthcare costs as well. To protect yourself from these costly medical bills, it's vital to explore travel nurse health insurance plans to find the one that's best for you. 

Consider what option is best for you:

Individual Health Insurance

If it's just you and you require health insurance coverage, an individual plan is the way to go. Individual plans are designed for one person and provide coverage for travel-related expenses. 

Family Health Insurance Plans

If you have a family, these health insurance plans can provide coverage for all family members under one policy. Even if they're not traveling with you, they can still get the necessary coverage back home. 

Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

Sometimes, you need health insurance coverage for a short period. Short-term travel nurse health plans can provide you with temporary coverage. 

Group or Employer Health Insurance Plans

Travel nurses often have to manage their health insurance needs while moving from city to city and state to state. However, rarely is it possible to obtain coverage through a group or employer-sponsored plan. These plans are typically provided through your agency or travel nursing company when available. They may cover the nurse, their partner or spouse, and any dependents at reduced rates. Plans and coverage will vary, but since agencies generally don't provide travel nurses with benefits other than pay, this will not be commonly offered. The plans are generally lacking when they are, so scrutinizing them is essential if you're considering enrolling in one. 

Government-Sponsored Marketplaces

Navigating the health insurance landscape can be particularly challenging for travel nurses. To help, government-sponsored marketplaces such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange are available in all fifty states and offer a variety of policies for individuals or families. The ACA makes it possible to compare plans from different providers side-by-side and select one that meets your needs. While this may be helpful, wading through all the options and understanding each policy can be overwhelming and challenging to manage independently.

Spouse or Family Member Health Insurance Plans

You may be able to obtain coverage through a family member's or spouse's policy. This can be an affordable solution as the individual is typically charged a lower premium than compared to buying an independent policy. However, it's critical that you read and understand the policy to ensure it covers the necessary services and treatments you need. This is especially important for travel nurses who must be covered out of state or abroad. Don't forget to also check for deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses that may be associated with this option.

Finding the Right Travel Nurse Health Insurance Plan for You

Navigating the world of travel nurse health insurance can be intimidating, especially for those who are self-employed and don't have access to employer-sponsored plans. However, with the proper knowledge and resources, you can find a plan that meets your needs and budget. 

Before selecting a plan, it's essential to understand your coverage needs. For example, what kind of treatments do you require? Do you have a family who needs to be covered as well? Answering these questions will help you narrow down the best policy type for you. 

From there, shopping around and comparing plans from different providers is important to find the best rate. HealthCare.gov provides an overview of the four main types of plans available: HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and POS plans. Each plan has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential that you research each one carefully before selecting one. 

Lastly, it's crucial to know when open enrollment begins and ends in your state as well as any special enrollment periods that may be available due to life events such as a change in employment or marriage.

Let Us Do the Work So You Can Do Yours

If the thought of researching and purchasing travel nurse health insurance feels overwhelming, that's understandable. However, it can be stressful to try and figure out the paperwork and details of different plans by yourself. This is especially true when ensuring you're covered outside your home state for whatever travel nursing assignment you're working on.

Finding health insurance for travel nurses doesn't have to be a challenge. United National Healthcare is here to help make it easier for you. We provide comprehensive services to travel nurses to find the best health insurance plan for them — from affordable private health insurance plans to short-term coverage solutions when transitioning between plans. Contact us today for a free consultation so you can focus on helping your patients while we take care of the rest.