No matter where you live in Virginia, a nationwide PPO is still available even if your local marketplace doesn't offer one. I'll explain how nurses based in Virginia manage insurance between contracts and find network providers during assignments elsewhere.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber. As a broker licensed in 36 states, I help travel nurses get health insurance of their own without needing an office visit. Whether you're based in Norfolk, Charlottesville or a Manassas townhouse, we can take care of it by phone.
When your tax home is in Virginia, you shop through Virginia's own insurance exchange rather than HealthCare.gov. Almost every plan there is an HMO or EPO, meaning its provider network is mainly local. That creates a real challenge when you're a nurse spending most of your working year on assignments outside Virginia.
This year, Virginia's Insurance Marketplace lists 83 individual medical policies: 60 HMOs, 19 EPOs and just 4 PPOs. One insurance company offers all four PPOs, and only within certain Northern Virginia locations. Those include Falls Church, Alexandria, the City of Fairfax and Arlington, plus parts of Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Living in Richmond or Hampton Roads means those PPO choices aren't available to you.
I can help you arrange a private nationwide PPO regardless of your Virginia address. The insurance company uses your medical information to underwrite and price the policy, and its network includes providers throughout the states where you may accept assignments. If you're healthy and frequently traveling, it's a strong option to examine.
With an HMO or EPO, care outside the provider network is generally covered only when there's an emergency. Your Virginia HMO might work wonderfully for a month back home, but a normal doctor's appointment in Arizona could become your expense.
We also have to consider your annual earnings. Premium tax credits depend on total household income during the coverage year, so the number of weeks you accept contracts matters. Virginia expanded Medicaid as well, which means extended time between jobs could lower your income enough to qualify at up to 138% of the federal poverty level.
Since you didn't voluntarily choose to lose that insurance, Virginia's marketplace normally allows a 60-day special enrollment period to select replacement coverage. COBRA may also be available, but deciding to cancel it later won't qualify you for another enrollment window.
Check the location of your upcoming assignment before selecting insurance. An HMO based in Virginia could suit your break at home, but if you're leaving for another state next month, ordinary medical care there likely won't be covered.
Next step: Contact me before your current assignment ends, and we'll arrange insurance that works while you're home and continues to make sense when the next job starts.
Paying full price for a Virginia HMO or EPO largely buys access to providers back home. When you're constantly traveling, a nationwide PPO is designed for exactly that situation.
During the application, you'll answer medical questions. The insurer can accept you, reject the application, or approve it while excluding a specified condition. Healthy applicants often find premiums below unsubsidized marketplace prices, with network physicians available in the states where they work. I'll review the benefits of each policy with you before you choose. If you have an existing health issue, bring it up rather than assuming private insurance isn't possible. Eligibility depends on the condition, and I'll compare your options.
Next step: Arrange a call with me, and I'll show you how a nationwide PPO compares with the insurance plans offered at your Virginia home address.
When your earnings qualify for a premium tax credit, marketplace coverage will usually cost less for the months you spend at home. If annual income reaches 138% of the poverty level or less, Virginia's Medicaid expansion may provide coverage instead. Being eligible for Medicaid generally removes eligibility for marketplace credits.
Once another contract begins and your earnings increase, make sure you report that change. Save your contract offers together so you can easily document the dates.
Next step: Share your completed assignments and upcoming contract schedule with me, and I'll help identify which coverage program makes sense for this stage of your year.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Only residents of seven Northern Virginia localities can access those marketplace PPOs, all offered by one insurer. But healthy nurses throughout Virginia can purchase a private nationwide PPO through my office.
Emergency treatment is usually the only exception. HMOs and EPOs generally leave routine services from out-of-network providers uncovered.
When your agency insurance ends, Virginia's marketplace generally gives you a 60-day special enrollment period to select replacement coverage.
Possibly. Because Virginia expanded Medicaid, your income during that period could qualify if it falls at or below 138% of the poverty level.
Tell me your Virginia locality, which contracts you've completed or scheduled this year, and who else needs coverage. I'll compare plans suited to your travel schedule and explain the pricing available from your Virginia home address.
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