Medical Solutions vs. Supplemental Health Care: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison

Medical Solutions vs. Supplemental Health Care: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison

Medical Solutions and Supplemental Health Care (SHC) are both long-established agencies with strong reputations. Here’s a detailed comparison based on current pay data, actual 401(k) structures, and nurse reviews.

Quick Comparison

Pay Comparison

Medical Solutions offers some of the most transparent high-pay postings in the industry:

• Burn Unit contracts up to $3,500/week
• Travel Case Management and Labor & Delivery contracts up to $3,000/week
• $600 loyalty bonus for every 600 hours worked — a strong incentive for nurses who stick with longer contracts
• $1,000 referral bonus per qualified nurse referred
• Hundreds of exclusive jobs not found on job boards

One nurse noted that initial pay was lower than other agencies, but increased after the first contract — which suggests the loyalty model rewards repeat travelers.

Supplemental Health Care pay is reported as comparable but slightly below market by some nurses who have worked at multiple agencies. Specific weekly rates vary by specialty and location. SHC’s $1,000 completion bonus (or the option to spread it as higher hourly pay over the contract) adds meaningful value.

Winner: Medical Solutions for higher advertised pay rates and the transparent loyalty bonus structure.

401(k) Comparison

Both agencies offer genuine employer 401(k) matching — one of the most important but least-discussed benefits in travel nursing.

Medical Solutions:

• 401(k) with 100% match on first 3% + 50% match on next 2% of compensation
• Enrollment available after 90 days

Supplemental Health Care:

• 401(k) with 100% match on first 3% + 50% match on next 3% of compensation
• Available to full-time and part-time staff

SHC’s match is slightly more generous at the top end (50% match applies to 3% vs. Medical Solutions’ 2%), and it’s available to part-time employees too.

Winner: Supplemental Health Care for a marginally better 401(k) match structure.

Health Benefits

Medical Solutions:

• Day-one medical, dental, and vision starting at just $19/week
• Private furnished housing or housing stipend
• Travel discounts on rentals and hotels
• 24/7 customer service

Supplemental Health Care:

• Full medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and even pet insurance
• HSA-eligible plan with SHC contributing $25/week to your HSA — a rare employer benefit
• Must be 50 miles from assignment to qualify for travel stipend (flat hourly rate if under 50 miles)
• Some nurses report difficulty changing plans or opting in mid-year

Winner: Supplemental Health Care for benefits breadth (pet insurance, HSA contribution) — but Medical Solutions wins on cost ($19/week premium is hard to beat).

Recruiter Experience

Medical Solutions: Highly personalized — before signing any contract, a consultant discusses your priorities. Nurses consistently praise their recruiters as “genuinely invested” and “transparent.” One nurse described their recruiter as “incredibly responsive, supportive, and genuinely invested in my success.” The main issue: all the customization options can overwhelm first-time travelers.

Supplemental Health Care: Reviewers describe SHC as their “favorite” agency, citing 24-hour recruiter access, great communication, and flexibility. However, SHC recruiters are not nurses themselves and may not fully advocate for travelers during facility conflicts. Best for self-directed nurses who don’t need hand-holding.

Winner: Medical Solutions for personalized recruiter support and contract customization.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Medical Solutions if:

• You want the highest available pay rates (up to $3,500/week)
• Low-cost day-one insurance ($19/week) is important to your budget
• You value loyalty bonuses and want to be rewarded for repeat contracts
• You’re an experienced traveler who knows what specialty and location you want

Choose Supplemental Health Care if:

• A slightly better 401(k) match and HSA benefits matter to you
• You have pets and want pet insurance
• You appreciate access to free CEUs through Supplemental University
• You’re self-directed and comfortable navigating benefits enrollment independently

Bottom Line

Both agencies offer real 401(k) employer matching — a major differentiator from agencies like Advantis Medical or Gifted Healthcare. Medical Solutions wins on pay rates, low insurance costs, and recruiter personalization. Supplemental Health Care edges ahead on 401(k) match generosity and HSA contributions. The right choice depends on whether you optimize for maximum take-home pay or long-term benefits. Use our travel nurse pay calculator to run the numbers for your specialty and location.