Group Health Insurance for Writers

If you’re employed as a writer and you receive W2 for taxes, you may have access to group health insurance through your employer. However, if you work independently as a freelance writer, obtaining group health insurance is a bit more complicated. You’ll receive a 1099 indicating taxes have not been paid, and you need to pay those at the end of the year. It also shows you do not have an employer-employee relationship. So from health insurance to 401Ks, etc., you are on your own. Some writers do this part-time while others rely solely on freelance work. It offers many people the opportunity to do something they’re passionate about without being tied down. If you can find affordable rates on the types of insurance coverage you need and a tax preparer who can help you take advantage of all available deductions, writing could give you the flexibility to pursue other dreams as well.

Fortunately, there are many options available for freelance writers without employers who still need health insurance policies for themselves and their family members. Some are designed to cover all medical expenses with minimum out-of-pocket expenses. Others are meant to cover emergency care only. With the affordable care act in place, though, the minimum required coverage covers more than it used to.

Where can writers find health insurance companies?

Group health insurance plans may be described as employee benefit plans maintained by an employer or employee organization, like a union, that provides participants and their dependents with coverage for medical care.

Since many freelance writers have no employer, union-like organizations are often the greatest resource for obtaining group health insurance. Some of the best places when looking for insurance for freelancers is to search for group health insurance plans which are independent contractor associations, writers guilds, and writers unions.

Below are some of the leading U.S. organizations offering writers group health insurance.

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National Writers Union

This labor union for freelance writers, and the parent union, the United Auto Workers, are members of the American Federation of Labor Organizations. There are 13 local chapters and 1,300 members in this union.

Through a partnership with Working America Health Care, the National Writers Union offers members favorable pricing in the healthcare exchanges governed by the Affordable Care Act.

By going to Working America brokers, NWU claims members save over $230 per month, on average. NWU members also receive access to a WAHC Health Advocate, two dental plans options, and vision coverage for exams, glasses, and frames. Members can choose a Dental PPO with more flexibility or a Dental HMO designed around offering more value.

National Association for the Self-Employed

Founded in 1981, NASE provides micro-businesses and entrepreneurs with consolidated buying power, benefits, and access to resources typically exclusive to large corporations. NASE offers members self-employed health and life insurance through its partnership USHEALTH Group, which includes coverage from subsidiaries like Metlife, Golden Rule, Assurant, and others.

NASE offers self-employed individual small business health insurance quotes, free access to experts and resources, and a number of discount programs.

Coverage options offered include Fixed Indemnity Health Insurance and comprehensive coverage. Supplemental plans used to enhance coverage options include short-term accident disability, accident, dental, life, and critical illness.

Writers Guild of America

Founded in 1954, this labor union has approximately 20,000 members that include writers for news media, radio, television, and film. WGA offers members the Writers’ Guild-Industry Health Fund, providing hospital, medical, prescription, dental, wellness, life insurance, and vision benefits.

Participants in the Fund are typically writers from the film and television industry.

Eligible dependents of participants may qualify to receive the benefits provided by the Fund. The Industry Health Fund receives contributions through a collective bargaining agreement with employers in the Motion Picture and Television Industry. The Fund is governed by an equal number of directors from the WGA and employers from the industry.

As of July 2016, the earnings minimum required to qualify for a year of employer-paid health coverage was approximately $38,300. Members may also be required to pay a $50 monthly premium to add dependents to the health coverage. Participants’ dependents are covered by the health plan until age 26, regardless of their marital status, academic status, or financial status.

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Freelancers Union

This non-profit labor organization promotes the education, interest, and advocacy of independent workers. The union has a subsidiary licensed for health insurance in a number of states and contracted with HeathPlanService, Inc., a nationally licensed insurance producer.

The subsidiary, Freelancers Insurance Agency, is licensed in Virginia, California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, the Tri-State area, Georgia, Maryland, and D.C.

Outside of New York, HealthPlanService is the insurance agent of record, and FIA is the agent of record in New York. This union also offers freelancers the option of dental coverage through Guardian, providing an average savings of 35 percent.

In addition, members have access to GeoBlue, providing travel medical insurance coverage for periods of time spent abroad.

Healthcare Marketplace

If all else fails, you don’t necessarily need a producer-writers guild to find affordable insurance. Anybody can go on the healthcare marketplace website and check their eligibility. Open enrollment happens once a year, but you can also enroll when there are triggering events (such as you leaving your W2 job for a life of freelance writing). You can compare health plans and see what pricing you’re eligible for based on your current income and other factors.

Finding group health insurance for writers

For independent writers, finding group health insurance coverage largely depends on qualifying for specific unions or employee organizations.

For the more writer-centric organizations, acceptance is often contingent on presenting a qualifying body of work relating to their typical area of focus.

These organizations and employee organizations geared towards freelance workers at large typically charge some sort of membership fees along the way.

Group health insurance for writers is all about choosing the best plan available through the different employee organizations you can qualify for.

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