Benefits 101
Join the group to protect yourself. Helping other freelancers is just a bonus.
Understanding Health Coverage
We bring freelancers together to support one another. You can call it insurance. We call it mutual support.
Either way, here's how it works.
Premium
The amount you pay each month.
Copay
A copay is a fixed amount you pay for certain services.
Deductible
The amount you pay before the health plan covers services.
Coinsurance
Coinsurance is the percentage you pay for a service.
PPO vs. Value Plans
There are two types of plans available to members: PPO and Value. The biggest difference between the two is how you pay when you go to the doctor or get a test done. In most cases, the more you pay in monthly premiums, the less you'll pay when you go to the doctor. But make sure to evaluate all of a plan's features before picking one.
PPO vs Value Plan
| For PPO plans: |
For Value plans: |
| You pay a copay for basic services. |
There is no copay. Instead, you'll pay the negotiated rate until you meet your deductible. |
| If you need something more, you'll generally pay the negotiated rate until you meet your deductible.
|
After you meet your deductible on the Value 1 plan, you won't pay anything for most medical services and prescription drugs. On the Value 2 plan, you won't pay anything for most medical services, but you may need to pay coinsurance on prescription drugs. |
| After you meet your deductible, you'll pay a
coinsurance percentage until you meet your out-of-pocket max. |
There is no out-of-pocket max on the Value 2 plan. |
Picking a Plan
What is your personal health situation? Do you have a condition or disease that needs constant attention or do you avoid the doctor until something falls off? What is your financial situation? Make sure your plan covers your needs. Remember that the less you pay in premiums each month, the more you'll generally pay at the doctor's office.
- How much does it cost each month?
- Obviously this is a big one. Make sure the plan fits into your budget. You can only reinstate your coverage twice in a calendar year, so make sure you pick a plan you can afford for the long haul.
- What is the out-of-pocket max?
- It's tough to consider the worst case scenario, but if something terrible does happen, this is the most that you would need to pay in a given year. Make sure you review carefully. Sometimes plans with lower monthly costs also have higher out-of-pocket maxes.
- What is your personal health situation?
- Are you being treated for a condition or disease? Do you avoid the doctor unless you absolutely have to go? Think about your personal health situation and compare how the different plans would cover your needs.
Tips for Saving Money
- Take generic drugs.
- Brand-name prescription drugs have name recognition and big advertising dollars (hello, Viagra!), but once the patent expires, generic versions of the drug hit the market for a significantly lower price. Generic drugs have the same level of strength, quality, effectiveness, and safety, so consider asking your doctor about less expensive, generic alternatives the next time the prescription pad comes out.
- Stay in-network.
- Think of your health coverage as a membership in a discount club (without the bulk rolls of toilet paper). When you see a doctor who's in-network, it'll almost always cost less. FIC negotiates with doctors and hospitals to make sure our members get good coverage at a good rate.
- Take advantage of free preventive care.
- No matter what plan you have, much of your preventive care services are now covered at no cost to you when you visit an in-network provider. By having regular screenings, you can catch certain conditions early and keep your body in top shape. View the full list of preventive services mandated by the U.S. government.