If you don’t currently have Freelancers Union insurance,
but want to get it or find out more, click here.

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For members enrolled in
Freelancers Union’s health insurance plans:

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A MESSAGE ABOUT OUR NEW EMPIRE INSURANCE PLANS

You told us ways we could improve our health insurance options, and we did something about it.  We have great news: We’re switching from HIP to Empire BlueCross BlueShield!

Our group is big now, and for the first time the insurance carriers are vying for our business.  Here are some reasons why we picked Empire.

• Up to three times as many doctors in New York City
• Top-rated customer service
• Better vision coverage
• Premium hospitals like Memorial Sloan-Kettering
• Doctors upstate and in bordering counties in NJ and CT
• Discounts for gyms and alternative health care

We looked at a lot of carriers, and Empire was the one with largest doctor network.  That means that most of our members will get to keep using the physicians they’ve been seeing.  Plus, if you’ve been seeing doctors who were out-of-network on HIP, they might be part of the much larger Empire network. You can do a search here.

The rate increase for 2008 is not due to the switch to Empire.  We negotiated with different carriers to get the best rates possible.  In Empire, we were able to get a carrier with a high ranking and a large network, while keeping the rate increase below the state average.

What’s staying the same:

• There are still three comprehensive plans: a POS and two EPOs.
• Pre-existing conditions will be covered without any waiting periods.
• The billing process won’t change.
• You’re part of a group that gives you access to your own customer support, including help with claims and understanding your plan’s benefits, separate from the insurance company (Freelancers Union Member Services).

Helping freelancers build security comes from the power of our group.  Please read an open letter from Executive Director Sara Horowitz.

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OPEN ENROLLMENT: December 3 – December 31

All coverage through HIP will terminate at the end of December.  If you’re enrolled in a HIP plan, you must select a new plan from Empire or PerfectHealth by December 31 in order to continue your health insurance coverage into the new year.  Don’t wake up on January 1 without insurance!

Open enrollment is only for members who are currently on an insurance plan.  It is the one time a year when you can switch plans; you can also add dependents to your policy.  If you’re currently on a Freelancers Union health plan, you should have an email from December 3 with a link to the open enrollment instructions page.  If you didn’t receive the email, but think you should have, contact Member Services.

We’ve put together step-by-step instructions for the open enrollment process.

            1. Review the plan options and new rates.

            2. Use the link provided in the email you received on December 3
                to complete the Online Renewal Form by December 31, 2007.

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QUESTIONS? ANSWERS!

Talk to us…

…about the differences between the old and new plans, how you’ll be billed in December, and how to switch to your new plan. 

            membership@freelancersunion.org
            800.856.9981
            718.222.1099

Talk to Empire…

…about which providers are in their network and what their plans cover.  (This is a special service during open enrollment, different from regular Empire customer assistance.)

            800.662.5193

FAQs

Q.    Why did you switch from HIP to Empire BlueCross BlueShield?

A.    For a long time, members on our health insurance plans have said that they wanted a better health insurance option. When we decided to switch carriers, we looked at many different options and found that Empire offered a great value for the price. Empire has 82,000 doctors in the New York City coverage area—including 28 counties in New York State and bordering counties in New Jersey and Connecticut.  Empire also has better vision coverage, a nationwide hospital network, which includes premium hospitals such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and top rankings for customer service.

Q.    Why are the rates going up?

A.    Health insurance rates for all carriers increase every year. This year, rates for individual market HMO and POS plans in the New York area increased between 26% and 30%. We did our best to keep our rates as low as possible; our plans had an average increase of about 16% this year.

Q.    Will I have to find new doctors? How do I know if my doctors are in the Empire network?

A.    Hopefully, your current doctor will be in the Empire network.  We performed an analysis for many different providers’ networks, and Empire had the greatest overlap with HIP.  You can use Empire’s online provider search to find out if your doctors are part of the Empire networks associated with our new plans. Visit https://www.geoaccess.com/empire/po/landing.asp and select either Direct POS or EPO from the dropdown menu.

Q.    If I am currently enrolled in a HIP plan, what happens if I do not enroll in an Empire or PerfectHealth plan during the open enrollment period?

A.    If you do not participate in open enrollment and select a new health insurance plan for 2008, you will lose your health insurance coverage with Freelancers Union as of December 31, 2007. To keep your health insurance coverage with Freelancers Union, you must enroll in an Empire or PerfectHealth plan by December 31, 2007.

Q.    If I am currently enrolled in a PerfectHealth plan, do I need to pick a new plan during the open enrollment period?

A.    No, you can stay on the same plan for 2008, but your rate will change.  Your next chance to switch plans and (with some exceptions) add dependents will be in December, 2008.

Q.    How do I participate in open enrollment?

A.    The December 3 email announcing the beginning of open enrollment contains a link to the online enrollment form.  If you didn't receive this email and think you should have, contact Member Services.

Q.    When I enroll in an Empire plan, will I receive a new insurance card?

A.    Yes, you’ll get an insurance card and informational materials about your new plan in the mail.  They should arrive about two weeks after you participate in open enrollment.  Depending on when you complete open enrollment, your card might arrive after January 1.  If you need to see a doctor before you have your card, contact Member Services.

Q.    What if I’m in the middle of treatment during the transition from HIP to Empire?

A.

Prescription Drugs	If you are currently taking prescription medication, you will have to get a new prescription from your doctor and fill it at a CareMark participating pharmacy or using CareMark’s mail order service.
Referrals	Referrals for specialist visits are not required on any of the new Empire plans. If you need to see a specialist, just make sure they accept Empire insurance - you don't need to do anything else.
Surgeries and Procedures	If you are scheduled for any surgeries or procedures after December 31, 2007, you must contact Empire (the phone number will be on the back of your new insurance card) to obtain any necessary pre-certification.  Please wait at least two weeks after you complete open enrollment to call, to make sure there’s been time to add you to Empire’s system.
Mental Health Services	If you choose the Direct POS plan and are currently receiving mental health services, you will need to call the phone number for Mental Health Services on the back of your new insurance card to authorize services under Empire. The EPO#1 and EPO#2 do not require prior authorization for the first few mental health visits. Please wait at least two weeks after you complete open enrollment to call, to make sure there’s been time to add you to Empire’s system..
Medical management	If you are currently under medical management, you will need to call the medical management phone number on the back of your new insurance card.  Please wait at least two weeks after you complete open enrollment to call, to make sure there’s been time to add you to Empire’s system.

Q.   What if I'm in the middle of filing a claim with HIP?

A.   Claims for any services received through December 31, 2007 should be filed with HIP. Any claims for services received on or after January 1, 2008 should be filed with your new insurance carrier.

Q.   Will any out of pocket contributions toward the deductible on my HIP plan carry over to my Empire plan?

A.   Any out of pocket contributions toward your deductible on a HIP plan made in October, November, or December of 2007 will count toward your 2008 deductible on your Empire plan (if you choose a comparable Empire plan). You may be asked by Empire to submit proof of your contributions. For these purposes, the HIP POS and the Empire POS are considered comparable plans, and all the HIP and Empire EPOs are considered comparable.

Q.    How can I find out which Empire plan is comparable to the HIP plan I have now?

A.    The Empire plans were designed to be as comparable as possible to the plans previously offered through HIP.  Review the side-by-side comparison to see how the Empire plans differ from the comparable HIP plans.

Q.    How will I be billed for January coverage if I have not selected a plan yet?

A.    You should have already received an email reminder about your invoice for January coverage. All members will be billed for their current plan at the 2007 rate for the month of January. If you’ve already paid for January coverage at the old rate, your next bill reflects the updated rates and you will be charged the difference. If you make plan changes during open enrollment, your new rate, plus any applicable charges or credits, will appear on either your December 15 or January 15 bill, depending on when you complete the Online Renewal Form.