1099 vs. W-2 nurse staffing — a vital distinction

I appreciate the perspective shared by Brian Crone in his op-ed, ‘Emerging healthcare gig economy: an Uber driver in scrubs.’ I agree that worker misclassification is a significant concern, and healthcare facilities are at risk. But as Mr. Crone points out, not all nurse staffing agencies define workers the same way. And it is vital for the industry to understand why these differences matter.

App-enabled nurse staffing companies can choose which model to operate under, and some agencies have capitalized on opportunities for fast growth and quick financial rewards offered by the 1099 approach. By removing the cost of basic employee rights, like benefits and overtime pay, the 1099 model chooses financial advantages, ultimately putting facilities at legal and financial risk and negatively impacting patient care.

Working with W-2 staffing agencies helps minimize these risks. Because these workers are actual employees and already have the associated benefits, there is less likelihood of disruptive legal action.

Nurses deserve the ability to practice at the top of their profession, and patients deserve high-quality care in settings unencumbered by misclassification lawsuits. This is why many staffing agencies have made the investment in employing W-2 workers — a win for both nurses and facilities.

Thank you for putting the spotlight on the worker misclassification issue. It’s important that we minimize the risk to healthcare facilities by making sure its nuances are understood.

David Coppins is the CEO and CO-Founder of IntelyCare, an app-enabled W-2 nurse staffing agency.