Coworking membership & Group Health Insurance?

[Aliza Torok Schlabach]

Hi everyone,

I just saw this article http://thenextweb.com/us/2012/05/07/wework-labs-coworking-space-will-open-new-offices-in-san-francisco-next-week/ which mentions that WeWork Labs NY now "offers health insurance to members for ~360/month, which should make its membership that much more worthwhile to freelancers".

I looked into group health insurance for Coworking for Parents, and was told that it's not possible since I'm not employing members.  I would love to know what type of deal WeWork Labs put together, who their insurance agent is, and if any other coworking spaces offer group health insurance policies.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Aliza Schlabach
Founder, Coworking for Parents

www.CoworkingForParents.com

215.858.4658

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PS - Coworking for Parents got a little press today on WHYY's NewsWorks :-)  

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/38065-coworking-space-for-parents-in-manayunk

[Alex Hillman]

I'm pretty sure that it's not group insurance, but instead recommended plans that they researched. If that's not the case, I'd also love to know what they managed to pull off.

-- 

/ah

indyhall.org

coworking in philadelphia

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[Chad Ballantyne]

We offer Health Spending Accounts for our members through a local provider. Because the individual member is part of a "club" they can get access.  A nice value added.

Chad

Chad Ballantyne

The Creative Space Director

(705) 252-2423

www.thecreativespace.ca

[Katherine Warman Kern]

Does Freelancer Union have some sort of affiliate program for co-working centers for health coverage?

[Jerome Chang]

We've discuss this topic numerous times. Freelancers Union proved a few years ago that in NY they can provide health insurance. EVERY STATE IS DIFFERENT! California is one state where guaranteed insurance is not allowed without direct employment. That said, I've heard of a possible workaround thru a 3rd party payroll...

And note: the key is GUARANTEED coverage versus approved. Anyone can set up some group rate for approved coverage (each applicant may be approved or denied by the insurance co) but the traditional employer-provided guaranteed coverage is the ideal and typically discussed. 

Jerome

www.BLANKSPACES.com

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[Alex Hillman]

The freelancer's union can only offer their health coverage in NYC:

http://www.freelancersunion.org/benefits/mutual-benefits.html

The issue with offering group healthcare is that the laws are regional. The movement that the FU has been able to make is unfortunately limited to their base region, NYC. 

-- 

/ah

indyhall.org

coworking in philadelphia

[Chad Ballantyne]

FU? I'm guessing they avoid using the acronym?

BTW - our's is a Canadian plan  - but I think health Spending Accounts are universal - ask your health Insurance provider for more info.   We have a number of members using the service.

Chad

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[Toni Hogan]

I've checked out a few options for "benefits" for our members, but put
it on the back burner. I will work on it again next month.

Awesome article on Coworking for Parents. We also have a room in our
space dedicated for preschoolers. For other age groups and full-time
care there's a daycare center opening next door.

Toni Hogan

On May 8, 11:07 am, Aliza Torok Schlabach <aschlab...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I just saw this articlehttp://thenextweb.com/us/2012/05/07/wework-labs-coworking-space-will-...

> mentions that WeWork Labs NY now "offers health insurance to members
> for ~360/month, which should make its membership that much more worthwhile
> to freelancers".
>
> I looked into group health insurance for Coworking for Parents, and was

> told that it's not possible since I'm not employing members.  I would *love* to

> know what type of deal WeWork Labs put together, who their insurance agent
> is, and if any other coworking spaces offer group health insurance policies.
>
> Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
>

> *Aliza Schlabach*
> Founder, Coworking for Parentswww.CoworkingForParents.com
> <aschlab...@gmail.com>
> 215.858.4658
> Sign up for our email newsletter <http://www.coworkingforparents.com> | Join
> our Meetup group <http://www.meetup.com/CoworkingForparents/> | Like us on
> Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/CoworkingForParents>

>
> PS - Coworking for Parents got a little press today on WHYY's NewsWorks :-)
>

> http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/38065-...

[Jerome Chang]

HSA's are easy.  You don't need any group to provide that.  I've used BoA's HSA plan for years.

Jerome

______________
BLANKSPACES
"work FOR yourself, not BY yourself"

www.blankspaces.com
ph: 323.330.9505 | 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) Los Angeles, CA 90036 

<tcs-sign-1.png>

[Aliza Torok Schlabach]

Thanks all!

Aliza Schlabach
Founder, Coworking for Parents

www.CoworkingForParents.com

215.858.4658

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[Mark W. Kidd]

I'm frankly surprised that there aren't any comparable organizations providing this service in other states. And a small correction, the FU currently offers coverage throughout New York state and "In 2014, we'll be sponsoring nonprofit, member-driven CO-OP health plans in New York, New Jersey, and Oregon."

We need something like this in Kentucky. I wonder if there are any case studies on what it takes to pull a cooperative insurance program together. I've looked over the FU (yeah, what an acronym..) site for such information in the past without success.

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Chad Ballantyne

The Creative Space Director

 

(705) 252-2423

www.thecreativespace.ca

 

 

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[Alex Hillman]

I spoke with folks from the Freelancers Union a number of years ago about their model, hoping to fold it into IndyHall and/or our efforts in Philadelphia. The downside is that there's not a whole lot that's transferable from region to region; every region has its own laws and related regulations to overcome so while a general model to organize around that change is valuable, it's not really "copy-able" beyond being a vague inspiration. 

I've gone down many paths since, ultimately hitting the same roadblocks over and over and only getting better at spotting them before starting down a new dead end. This includes speaking to leaders of insurance organizations, legal and lobbying entities, and more. Consistent results: bupkis. 

I would love to support the pursuit of new options. WeWork's approach of recommending plans that are "reasonable" to their members is a good reminder that independents shouldn't skip out on their health, but I'm pretty sure it's not any sort of special deal, even *with* the Freelancers Union's work in NYC. I'd love to be wrong about that. 

I hope that something new surfaces in America, but know better than to hold my breath. 

-Alex

--
/ah
indyhall.org
coworking in philadelphia

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