How Health Insurance for Locum Tenens Physicians Works

TL;DR: Finding health insurance for locum tenens physicians means locating a healthcare plan that’s right for your needs. Whether you’re on the National Marketplace, looking for something short term or a tailored plan for your business, we’ve got the info you need to stay covered.

Life in locums is all about finding the best fit, whether it’s a new job, change of scene or health insurance. Yes, we said it: Your health insurance plan should fit your needs. While the insurance market can be a challenge to navigate, we have all the details on the what, when and how much you need to find coverage that’s just right for you.

Do Locum Doctors Get Health Insurance?

Unlike full-time employees, locum tenens physicians don’t have employer-provided health insurance or dental and vision coverage. But this also means that locums physicians like you have more control over the type of plan you choose. In locums, you may also have the added benefit of being able to deduct 100% of your healthcare plan from your taxes– check your plan and refer to our Extended Locums Tax Guide for more.

To choose the plan that’s right for your needs you’ll need to know more about the types of coverage available and where to find them. We’ve already done some of that research to help you save time!

Best Options for Health Insurance for Locum Tenens Physicians

Where should you start to look for coverage? Whether it’s your first locum position, your healthcare needs have changed or you’re looking for something new, you should start by checking out the Marketplace.

Healthcare.gov

The first place to start will be in your state healthcare marketplace which you can find at Healthcare.gov. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) means that each state is required to operate a state-wide healthcare marketplace with a variety of plans. The ACA requires these plans contain “essential health benefits” such as ambulatory and emergency services, hospitalization, pregnancy and newborn care, prescription drug coverage, mental health services, pediatric care, rehabilitative care, and lab services. 

The site lets you compare the costs associated with plans side-by-side so you can see the differences between your premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for each plan.

Plans come in 4 tiers:

• Bronze: covers 60% of your healthcare costs
• Platinum: covers 90% of healthcare costs
• Gold: covers 80% of your expected costs
• Silver: covers 70% of your healthcare costs

Private Insurance

Arguably the more expensive option, but sometimes it’s the right one for individual locums’ needs. On private insurance exchanges you can again compare plans side-by-side to find a plan that fits your needs. These plans meet the standards of ACA coverage for individuals so long as they cover the essential health benefits listed in the previous section.

NASE

Maybe you’ve already taken a look at your options and realized that you need a more in-depth consultation to determine what kind of coverage you’ll need. At that point, it’s time to contact the agents at the National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) for a health insurance quote. This may be essential for locums who are incorporated or own a small business entity, have family members you want to include on your plan, or if you’re looking for a more tailored solution.

State Medical Societies

Individual state medical associations may be another option for you if you’re seeking state-specific coverage for individual locums doctors. To find out whether this could be a good fit, you need to look up the State Medical Society where you’re licensed to practice. 

On their website, you should be able to locate a page about state-level insurance for physicians either through search or a tab with resources for physicians. But be aware that some websites may be a little harder to navigate than others. State physicians’ insurance bureaus may have their own individual acronym and you’ll want to contact them for more info by calling or emailing your State Medical Society to learn more. 

COBRA

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides for a brief extension of healthcare coverage when someone is between coverage windows. COBRA premiums tend to be higher because they provide short-term coverage for people who are between jobs. But they can be helpful for locums transitioning to full-time employment or needing coverage before your new policy kicks in.

Additional Insurance Resources for Locums Physicians

Short-Term Health Insurance

Sometimes locums physicians may need short term coverage that just covers essentials for a particular job. It’s important to know that these plans are not required to meet the ACA standard of essential health benefits and do not cover pre-existing conditions, and are instead intended to cover specific things like urgent or emergency care, or preventative care visits. While short term coverage tends to have a much higher deductible, you’re also able to cancel your coverage without having to pay penalty fees.

Independent Insurance Agents

For a more tailored approach, you might want to contact an Independent Insurance Agent who can advise you on specific needs for your locums practice. Healthcare.gov can help you find a local agent. But you also might want to check with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to find an agent in your state with experience in medical insurance for doctors and independent contractors.

Spousal Plans

One of the quickest ways to ensure you have the insurance coverage you need is to have your spouse include you on their insurance plan. Being able to deduct your insurance on your taxes is a key perk. But just be aware that if you do decide to turn down your spouse’s insurance coverage, you will not be able to deduct your healthcare coverage. 

Cost of Locum Tenens Health Insurance Options

When thinking about how much your healthcare is going to cost you and your family, it’s important to consider a few different factors. The most important are about the number of dependents you’ll have, monthly premium payments, your deductible and considering whether you’ll need to use out-of-network care. 

To estimate your monthly costs, consider that the average premium cost for an individual with an ACA provider in 2024 was $497 and the average cost for a family of four was $1,437. Costs will vary based on your location and marketplace availability. The average premium for private insurance will be significantly higher and vary based on plan, network and dependents. 

You should take this into account if you have benefits that would require you to go out-of-network. 

How Enrollment Periods Work

When can you get health insurance? During specific periods where you can enroll in plans on the market. General dates for enrollment periods include:

• November 1st: the first day you can enroll in or change your Marketplace coverage
• December 15th: the last day you can enroll in coverage that will begin in January of the following year
• January 1: the first day of coverage for Marketplace plans when you registered and paid by December 15th
• February 1: the first day of coverage for Marketplace plans when you have registered and paid after December 15th

You may have the option for a Special Enrollment Period outside the standard window due to life circumstances. You should check here at Healthcare.gov to see if you qualify.

How Direct Primary Care (DPC) Works

In some situations, locums may enter into a Direct Primary Care contract with a specific care provider. This allows you to pay your care provider directly for services on a contractually agreed upon basis. DPCs are not a replacement for health insurance. Instead, they’re usually a solution for people who have high-deductible plans that do not cover the services of a primary care provider, especially if they would be considered out-of-pocket expenses.

Health Insurance Tax Implications for Locum Tenens Staff

Carrying health insurance is an essential part of your practice, but it can complicate your tax situation. In some cases, your insurance will be 100% deductible from your taxes. But in others, like if you have coverage via a spouse, you should speak with a tax professional about how that deduction should look on your tax filing. For locums who have a small business, you’ll want to keep excellent records of all your healthcare expenses and receipts.

Looking for a Locums Role in Your Specialty?

Ready for a role with more freedom and control over your career? Come see about life in locums. At Era, we put the person in “personal career strategy” for every physician we meet. If you’re looking for tailored insights into finding the right insurance plan — reach out and we'll get started.