The short version
- Agency plans are convenient, but they usually depend on an active contract.
- Your own individual plan stays with you between assignments and when you switch agencies.
- Whichever you choose, check that the network covers home and the states you work in.
How agency health insurance usually works
Most larger staffing agencies offer group health coverage to travelers. The details vary a lot, so read the benefits guide for:
- Start date: some agencies cover you from day one; others start the first of the month after you begin.
- End date: coverage often ends when your contract ends, or at the end of that month. Some agencies extend it if you sign your next contract with them within a set window.
- Network: agency plans are often national PPOs, which is a plus for travelers.
- Cost: premiums come out of your weekly pay. Compare that against what you'd pay for your own plan.
The case for your own plan
A lot of experienced travelers keep an individual plan year-round. The benefits:
- No gaps between contracts. Your coverage doesn't care if you take three weeks off.
- Freedom to switch agencies without changing doctors, deductibles or ID cards mid-year.
- Your deductible doesn't reset every time you change agencies.
- Possibly higher pay. Some agencies will raise your package if you decline their benefits. Ask your recruiter.
The trade-off: you pay the full premium yourself unless you qualify for a Marketplace tax credit, and individual plans in some states have mostly local networks. That's where comparing carriers matters.
Tax home, residency and where you buy coverage
Individual plans are sold based on where you live. For most travelers that's your permanent home, the same place you keep as your tax home for stipend purposes. Buying a plan in your home state and keeping that address consistent across your agency paperwork, license and tax return keeps things simple. If you don't keep a permanent residence, talk to us before you apply, because both your coverage and your stipends can be affected.
The network question, again
A plan sold in your home state might have great doctors near home and nothing in the state where you're on assignment. Before you enroll, check:
- Is there in-network primary and urgent care outside your home state?
- Does the plan use a national network or partner network?
- Is telehealth included? It covers most routine needs from anywhere.
- Are your prescriptions on the formulary, and can you fill them at national chains or by mail?
Comparing the two side by side
| Agency plan | Your own plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage between contracts | Often ends | Continues |
| Switching agencies | New plan, new deductible | No change |
| Who pays | Shared with agency, from your pay | You, possibly with a tax credit |
| Network | Often national | Varies by state and carrier |
| Enrollment | When you start a contract | Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period |
Frequently asked questions
Do travel nurses get health insurance through their agency?
Most large agencies offer it. Coverage is usually tied to an active contract.
Should a travel nurse buy their own health insurance?
Many do, so coverage never depends on a contract. It works best with a plan whose network covers home and your assignment states.
Which state do travel nurses buy health insurance in?
Generally your home state, where you keep your permanent residence and tax home.
Compare your agency plan with your own options
Send us your agency's benefits summary and we'll lay it next to the individual plans available to you.
Get a QuoteGeneral information only, not tax or legal advice. Tax home and stipend rules are complex. Talk to a tax professional who works with travel healthcare workers.