Writerista.com – blog of a freelance writer, mother and artist

My First Thoughts On Demand Studios Health Insurance Option

Date: Nov 18, 2009      Category: Demand Studios

Demand Studios has finally released details on their health insurance option for freelance writers. I received the official e-mail and read through Options for Health Insurance. By the way, the plan breakdowns and monthly cost are also included. See cost and coverage levels of the three available plans – this is a PDF file but you can print it out and then read through it.

My first thought is that this is excellent news. Demand Studios has stepped in to help its freelancers who have no coverage or are paying extreme amounts of money for poor insurance plans. Is it the best coverage money can buy? Absolutely not.

I used to carry a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield private policy specifically meant for self-employed individuals. The plan cost me $300 a month and would increase by $50 each year. There was no co-pay or deductibles, and the coverage amounts were high. I switched to the same exact plan but through my husband’s employer. We are saving hundreds of dollars a month but now we have co-pay and deductibles.

Demand Studios Health Care Option for freelancers does not have co-pay, no deductible and individuals with pre-existing conditions will be accepted. Be warned though that the fine print says you will be accepted but your pre-existing condition may not be fully covered. My current plan does the same thing, while they accept me they will not pay for my pre-existing condition for a full year.

While you get some health care coverage, you will have limits on how many doctor’s visit are paid in a year. Read through each plan level and how many visits it will cover. Again, it is not the best health insurance you will find but it is affordable. The top plan costs around $150 a month and it even includes prescription coverage or discounts.

I could talk to you about our health care system and why I feel it requires a major change. At least someone is willing to step in and offer a way of acquiring a health insurance plan for those of us who have no employer to rely on. I’m sure some will be disappointed because they expected a lot more and better coverage. Still, no other publishing company is offering freelance writers assistance with their health care. Maybe we can at least appreciate the hard effort that went into making this happen.

I am thinking about signing up for health insurance offered through Demand Studios, but only to use it as supplemental insurance. I already have coverage, but this would allow me to save money on co-pays.

The actual eligibility e-mail has not been sent out yet. Freelancers who are eligible will have 90 days to sign-up or wait for the new enrollment dates. Every month individuals who meet requirements will be e-mailed for a chance to sign-up for this plan. Demand Studios will only offer it to individuals who have been there at least 3 months and produce an average of 30 articles a month.

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