How to Evaluate Agency Health Insurance

To compare agency health insurance, ask each agency for the plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage and compare the waiting period, the monthly premium, the deductible and whether the network covers both your assignment and your tax home. An agency plan is job-based coverage that can end when you leave that agency, and HealthCare.gov says losing job-based coverage opens a Special Enrollment Period to apply for a Marketplace plan.

What to Compare Across Agencies

Waiting Period

Best: Day-one coverage

Common: A waiting period before coverage starts

Red flag: A wait the recruiter won't put in writing

Monthly Premium

Compare: Each plan's monthly premium, in writing

Ask: Pre-tax deductions?

Network

Need: Assignment + tax home states

Best: National PPO networks

Gap Coverage

Best: Continues between contracts

Common: Ends when contract ends

Questions to Ask Your Recruiter

"Can I see the Summary of Benefits and Coverage?" — The standardized document for apples-to-apples comparison. If a recruiter can't provide it, that's a red flag.

"What's the deductible and out-of-pocket max?" — A cheap monthly premium with a high deductible is very different from a dearer premium with a low one.

"Does the network cover providers in my assignment area AND tax home?" — Travel therapists need multi-state coverage.

"What happens to coverage between assignments?" — Know the gap policy before you need it.

When to Skip Agency Insurance

Under 26: Parent's plan is usually simpler and better.

Spouse has good coverage: Eliminates the insurance variable entirely.

Agency plan is expensive/poor: ACA Marketplace plans may cost less, especially since your lower W-2 income qualifies for subsidies.

You change agencies frequently: A Marketplace plan provides continuous coverage regardless of employer.

Bottom Line: Factor insurance value into total compensation. A small weekly pay difference may be meaningless if one agency's insurance saves you more each month. Full insurance guide at TravelTherapistInfo.com.