Freelancers Union Partners with CareConnect to Bring Affordable Health Insurance Options to One-in-Three New Yorkers Freelancing Today

EAST HILLS, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditionally forced to navigate the maze of health insurance options on their own, Freelancers Union is helping New York's independent workers more easily find quality, affordable care with a new partnership with CareConnect. Freelancers Union will offer a link to CareConnect plans on its National Benefits Platform. These plans are carefully curated to meet the needs of gig workers today. Freelancers will have access to CareConnect's network of over 40 hospitals and 24,000 providers across New York City's five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester County. The agreement will also accommodate freelancers who are Health Republic members, who are eligible for a special enrollment period that began November 1, 2015 for coverage starting December 1, 2015.

"Freelancers want quality, portable health insurance but are uniquely sensitive to rising healthcare costs. We've whittled the hundreds of options they would find on the exchange down to the few that best meet these needs," said Freelancers Union Founder and Executive Director Sara Horowitz. "We did this by both listening to our members, and by relying on our 10-year track record of helping gig workers find affordable coverage."

The partnership with CareConnect marks the first expansion of Freelancers Union's National Benefits Platform since it launched in 2014. The platform enables all freelancers to easily access curated, high-quality options for health insurance, retirement plans, and disability, liability, dental and life insurance.

"Freelancers Union is a forward-thinking organization that is actively improving options for everyday New Yorkers. That is our vision at CareConnect, too," said CareConnect President and CEO Alan Murray. "Working with Freelancers Union will help provide security and peace of mind to the independent workers that set New York apart." 

CareConnect's benefit plans are among the lowest-cost, highest-quality, commercial insurance options available on the market. As New York State's first provider-owned commercial insurer, the company believes affordability is a critical component of care, and its products often provide significant savings for consumers when compared to similar products offered by large national carriers. Over the past month CareConnect has seen an uptick in inquiries regarding its small group and individual insurance offerings. This interest has been driven by industry consolidation and the attractiveness of CareConnect's offering.   

The company's network includes many leading hospitals and facilities throughout downstate New York, including Lenox Hill Hospital and Lenox Health Greenwich Village, in Manhattan, Maimonides Medical Center, in Brooklyn, and Montefiore Health System, in Bronx and Westchester counties, as well as all of CareConnect's parent organization, the North Shore-LIJ Health System, which is changing its name in January to Northwell Health. CareConnect members also have access to a variety of convenient urgent care options including CityMD and North Shore-LIJ GoHealth Urgent Care, located throughout the region. Freelancers Union's announcement with CareConnect follows several recent critical provider partnerships that have expanded the insurer's network, including the addition of the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation's 11 hospitals in New York City, and White Plains and Nyack Hospitals in Rockland County.

About Freelancers Union
Freelancers Union's 300,000 members believe all workers should have the freedom to build meaningful, connected, and independent lives – backed by a system of mutual and public support. More than one in three working Americans is an independent worker. That's almost 54 million people – and growing. They are lawyers and nannies, graphic designers and temps. Freelancers Union serves the needs of this growing independent sector.

About North Shore-LIJ CareConnect Insurance Company, Inc.
The first provider-owned commercial insurer in New York State, CareConnect was created by North Shore-LIJ Health System (which is changing its name in January to Northwell Health) to make it easy for people to get and stay healthy. Its innovative model is designed to provide access to care that's both excellent and affordable. CareConnect was founded in 2013 and offers a variety of plans for individuals, families and businesses. It is headquartered in East Hills, New York. For more information, visit www.careconnect.com.

Contact:

Lisa DavisEmail: [email protected]
Phone: 516-405-7549

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SOURCE CareConnect