Haris Ashley
Nurses may be offered medical insurance by their employers, but it is not always the case. For example, contract nurses often have to get their own health insurance. Travel nurses, in particular, may find that their agency-provided insurance has gaps in coverage, and so they may opt for private insurance. Individual liability insurance is also recommended for nurses, as it ensures that the policy works in the interest of the nurse rather than their employer.
Do nurses get medical insurance?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liability insurance | Essential for nurses. Most employers offer medical malpractice insurance, but individual liability insurance is recommended. |
| Individual liability insurance | Provides protection and peace of mind in the event of a liability claim. It ensures the policy works in the interest of the nurse, not the employer. |
| Employer's liability insurance | May not cover all risks associated with nursing positions. It's important to read the policy details and understand the coverage. |
| Individual health insurance | Recommended for travel nurses and contract nurses to avoid gaps in coverage and administrative hassles. |
| Agency health insurance | Suitable for contract nurses with long-term agency contracts or those with no specific medical needs. It provides year-round coverage without gaps. |
| Private health insurance | Recommended for nurses with pre-existing conditions, families, or those who can afford the premiums. It offers flexibility and may be preferred by agencies. |
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What You'll Learn
- Contract nurses may not have health insurance through their job
- Nurses are often considered independent contractors, so individual liability insurance is recommended
- Agency health insurance is best for nurses with long-term contracts
- Private health insurance is good for nurses with pre-existing conditions
- Liability insurance can protect nurses from losing their license
Contract nurses may not have health insurance through their job
Nurses are often considered independent contractors by their employers, even when working full-time shifts. Generally, contract nurses do not receive health insurance as an employee benefit from hospitals and other healthcare facilities, as they are not formally employed and likely do not have employee benefits. However, as a contract nurse, you may have access to health insurance if it is provided by a contracting nursing agency. If your contract is signed through an agency, ask your direct contact if this is a benefit available to you. Please note, however, that you may only have access to these insurance benefits for the dates of your contract—so if you have time in between contracts, you may not be insured during this period.
Contract nurses have multiple health insurance options. They can opt for agency or private health insurance. The cost of health insurance for contract nurses depends on the type of insurance they opt for and the agency's arrangement with the health insurance provider. On average, contract travel nurses may see $100–$150 deducted from their weekly stipend for basic medical coverage and an additional $7+ for dental and vision coverage. Basic coverage can cost approximately $200 monthly, while more comprehensive coverage can cost closer to $400.
Private health insurance is a good option for contract nurses who want to avoid the hassle of switching insurances with employment. It is also a suitable choice if you are in between contracts, as it can be tailored to one's specific needs and there is no enrollment period; most companies offer immediate coverage. However, private insurance can be expensive, and it is important to consider the potential costs of premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
COBRA is another option for insurance coverage between contracts, but it can also be costly. After electing coverage, you have 45 days to pay the premium, giving you a minimum of 105 days of insurance coverage without paying upfront. ACA-compliant health insurance plans, or individual health insurance plans, are also an option for contract nurses. These plans can be purchased online during the open enrollment period, which usually lasts from November 1st through December 15th for insurance starting on January 1st of the following year in most states.
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Nurses are often considered independent contractors, so individual liability insurance is recommended
Nurses are often considered independent contractors, and as such, they are not considered "employees" in the legal sense. This means that they are responsible for paying Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes themselves and typically don't receive benefits, including medical coverage. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses have their own individual liability insurance.
While most employers offer medical malpractice insurance to nurses, there are advantages to having your own insurance policy. With individual liability insurance, you are the named insured entity, whereas with your employer's insurance, their company or organization name is on the line. This means that their policy will work in the interest of the employer, which may not always align with your best interests. Depending on the incident, this could lead to conflicts. For example, if you are found liable and are using your employer's insurance, you may be responsible for paying any punitive or compensatory judgment awarded to the patient.
Additionally, individual liability insurance policies may offer benefits and perks not provided by employer-provided options. These can include a variety of risk-management services and coverage for lawsuits and complaints to the nursing board, which could result in losing your nursing license. Individual policies also give you more control and peace of mind, knowing that you are protected in the event of a liability claim.
It is important to note that the determination of worker status as an independent contractor or employee is made by the IRS and not the worker or the employer. Nurses who work for healthcare temporary staffing services (nursing agency) are considered employees, not independent contractors. Independent contractor nurses are typically self-employed and are responsible for their own taxes and insurance, including liability insurance and, in some cases, workers' compensation insurance.
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Agency health insurance is best for nurses with long-term contracts
Nurses are advised to get liability insurance to protect themselves in the event of a liability claim. While most employers offer medical malpractice insurance to nurses, it is still recommended that nurses get their own individual liability insurance. This is because the employer's policy will prioritize the employer's interests, which may not always align with the nurse's. Furthermore, contract nurses are especially advised to get liability insurance as agencies typically do not provide malpractice insurance for them.
Agency health insurance is generally recommended for nurses with long-term contracts. Long-term contracts with staffing agencies typically range from several months to a year or longer. Under these contracts, nurses are employed by the agency and receive an hourly rate based on their experience and skills. The agency handles all aspects of the contract, including recruitment, screening, placement, orientation, training, scheduling, and providing tools and resources. Agency health insurance provides year-round coverage without any gaps and can be tailored to the nurse's medical needs. It is also a good option for individuals with few or no specific medical requirements, as plans are usually standard.
However, agency health insurance may have limitations depending on the premium paid, and not all insurance providers offer coverage in every state. Additionally, agency plans may not cover individuals with pre-existing conditions or families. Agency health insurance is typically more expensive than other options, and coverage is dependent on employment. If a nurse is terminated or takes a break between assignments, their coverage may be terminated as well.
For these reasons, private health insurance may be a preferable option for some nurses, especially those with pre-existing conditions or families to consider. Private insurance offers more flexibility, allowing nurses to work with multiple agencies without coverage gaps. It also provides peace of mind for those with anxiety, as there are no gaps in coverage. While private insurance can be more costly, it can also result in higher earnings as agencies may pay more when nurses have their own coverage.
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Private health insurance is good for nurses with pre-existing conditions
Private health insurance is a good option for nurses with pre-existing conditions. While some insurance plans may not cover pre-existing conditions, private health insurance can provide coverage for these issues. This is especially beneficial for nurses who are independent contractors or those with long-term contracts, as it can be tailored to their specific needs and provide year-round coverage without gaps. Private insurance also offers peace of mind, as nurses know they will be financially protected in the event of health emergencies.
Nurses with pre-existing conditions may find that certain insurance plans exclude them from coverage. Short-term health insurance, for example, often does not cover individuals with pre-existing conditions. Additionally, "grandfathered" health plans are not required to cover pre-existing conditions. However, private health insurance can fill this gap and provide the necessary coverage.
Another advantage of private health insurance for nurses with pre-existing conditions is the flexibility it offers. Private insurance allows nurses to choose the length of their coverage, which is particularly useful for those with long-term contracts or those who are in between contracts. It also provides the option to add coverage for dental and vision care, which may not be included in all agency-provided insurance plans.
Furthermore, private health insurance can be a good investment for nurses with pre-existing conditions due to its comprehensive nature. While agency-provided insurance may have limitations, private insurance can be tailored to an individual's specific medical needs. This is especially beneficial for nurses with families, as private insurance can provide coverage for dependents, which may not be an option with short-term health insurance.
Overall, private health insurance offers nurses with pre-existing conditions the assurance of continuous coverage, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. While agency-provided insurance may have limitations and gaps, private insurance can be customized to meet the specific needs of nurses with pre-existing conditions, providing them with financial protection and peace of mind.
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Liability insurance can protect nurses from losing their license
Nurses are paramount to the functioning of the healthcare system. As soon as they graduate, they are expected to uphold professional principles, guidelines, and standards from the American Nurses Association (ANA). It is extremely important for nurses to abide by these for their own safety and for those they care for; failure to do so could result in the loss of their license.
Nurses in all practice settings provide most of the hands-on patient care, placing them at risk for civil, regulatory, and, in some cases, criminal actions. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior (let the master answer), employers remain responsible for acts employees perform within the scope of their employment, and nurses can become involved in legal action, even when they follow the standard of care. To manage risks and minimize liability, many nurses purchase their own malpractice insurance without first understanding liability coverage and its intricacies.
Liability insurance is essential for nurses. While most employers offer medical malpractice insurance to nurses, individual liability insurance can give you protection and peace of mind if things go wrong. Individual professional liability insurance protects nurses in legal actions brought against them by a patient, a patient's personal representative, or the state board of nursing (SBON). Although physicians receive the brunt of lawsuits, nurses also get sued regularly.
In most cases, employers don't provide legal counsel for nurses in an SBON proceeding unless they believe that a bad outcome will impact the resolution of the matter in court or substantially increase the eventual settlement. If a patient or peer files a complaint with the SBON, your employer may be mandated by law to notify the SBON of irregularities in your practice. Individual liability insurance policies may come with their own perks and benefits not always provided by employer-provided options. This includes coverage for companies that offer individual liability policies, which may also provide a variety of risk-management services.
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Frequently asked questions
Nurses need liability insurance to protect themselves in the event of a liability claim. While most employers offer medical malpractice insurance to nurses, many nurses also get their own individual liability insurance.
Individual insurance policies offer nurses more control over their coverage and protection. With individual insurance, nurses are the named insured entity, rather than their employer, which means that the policy will work in their interest. Individual policies may also come with additional perks and benefits not provided by employer-provided options.
Contract nurses may not have health insurance through their job and will likely have to get their own. Agency health insurance is best for contract nurses with long-term contracts or prospects with agencies, while private health insurance is better for those with pre-existing conditions or families.
