When considering a career in travel healthcare, one item that is often overlooked is the benefits package offered by the staffing agency you choose to go through. Beyond the basics of health, dental, and vision insurance, a comprehensive benefits package will have benefits that provide for your physical, financial, and mental well-being. To shed light on what benefits are most valuable for travel healthcare professionals, we spoke with Ventura MedStaff’s Director of HR, Katrina G. Here’s what she said.
What Are Some of the Key Benefits to Look for When Interviewing Agencies?
Many agencies may offer health insurance, but the quality and what you get out of it is going to differ greatly. Katrina emphasizes the importance of conducting a thorough cost analysis when looking at different plans. “Look at what’s coming out of your paycheck, your deductible, and think about what you truly need. What’s the true cost?” she advises. “It’s essential to evaluate whether the healthcare offered is in-network, especially for those traveling to rural areas where finding proper care might be challenging.”
While most agencies provide standard benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, it’s important to look beyond these basics, Katrina says to consider other benefits that cater to the whole person. “Does the agency offer emotional well-being support, financial planning services, 401(k) retirement plans, or educational benefits?” Fitness discounts and counseling services are also perks to look for that can enhance your overall quality of life while on assignment.
What Are Some of Ventura MedStaff’s Standout Benefits?
“That’s a tough one!” Katrina chuckles. At Ventura MedStaff we offer a range of benefits designed to meet the diverse needs of our travel healthcare professionals. But Katrina believes that our most valuable benefits are our comprehensive disability benefits, including both short- and long-term options. “Very few companies offer such extensive disability coverage,” notes Katrina. “Our 401(k) plan is another great benefit with an excellent matching and vesting program that you can become eligible for after just working for Ventura MedStaff for six months, even if the employment is not continuous.”
Additionally, Ventura MedStaff provides Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, which offer significant tax advantages. For travelers, this means you can even use FSA dollars for essential items like first aid kits while on the road. There is also an incredible referral bonus available – $750 for every healthcare professional you refer who completes an assignment with us!
Are There Any Underutilized Benefits at Ventura MedStaff?
With so many benefits available, it can be challenging to take advantage of them all. According to Katrina, the most underutilized benefits are those related to disability and in-state perks. While not all states offer these benefits, when they do, they are often free and incredibly valuable.
Ventura MedStaff also offers a variety of programs through their benefits that travelers can take advantage of. HUSK for example, is a wellness benefit that provides online wellness coaching, diet plans, and emotional well-being resources.
What Are Some of the Lesser-Known Benefits Travelers Should Know About
Without a doubt Katrina says that one of the most valuable but often overlooked benefits at Ventura MedStaff is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), known as CuraLinc. “This service is free to all employees, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the company’s insurance plan and extends to anyone in their household.”
CuraLinc offers six free sessions per year, per incident, for counseling on issues like ADHD, depression, or specific life events. The sessions are completely confidential, with options for virtual visits, phone consultations, or even text therapy, making it accessible no matter your location or schedule.
How Can Travelers Maximize Their Benefits
Katrina’s biggest piece of advice to travelers is to rely on their HR department and recruiters, who are experts in navigating the often-overwhelming array of benefits options. If you’re enrolled in the health insurance plan, they’re the ones who will be able to make sure you take advantage of all the extras!
“When travelers enroll in our health insurance plans, there are additional resources they get access to like Healthcare Bluebook which helps you track and compare medical expenses to ensure you’re getting the best prices.” Another great resource for travelers is HealthJoy Concierge, a service that can schedule appointments for you based on your health insurance coverage and location, all through AI! You just let them know your zip code, what the appointment is for, and they will come back with appointments for you to look at. Pick your favorite one and they will schedule it for you. “The best part is that it can all be done at your leisure.” Katrina notes.
For those with specific medical needs, Ventura MedStaff provides services like KissX, which helps you find the best prices for procedures, and Livongo, offering discounts on diabetes care, including insulin. All of these additional programs are added on for free when enrolled in our health insurance plan – so make sure you enroll in all the programs you want.
Travel With Ventura MedStaff
Choosing the right travel healthcare agency means looking beyond the basic benefits to find a package that truly supports your well-being, both on and off the job. Ventura MedStaff offers a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to meet the unique needs of travel healthcare professionals. By understanding and utilizing these benefits, you can enhance your career and ensure a more rewarding experience on your assignments.
We’d love to help you take full advantage of our benefit package when you travel with us. Connect with a recruiter today to learn more.
