This Open Enrollment, Stride Health commits with leading on-demand marketplaces to help more than 5 million self-employed Americans enroll in coverage

Today, we are announcing a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to serve more than 5 million independent workers during Open Enrollment on Stride’s benefits platform. We will assist self-employed workers from leading on-demand and service marketplaces including Uber, Care.com, TaskRabbit, Etsy, Postmates and more, who rely on Stride’s benefits platform to select and enroll in affordable coverage during Open Enrollment and to access care throughout the year.

In an October 2016 survey, we found that 55% of independent workers who are uninsured will either shop for a plan or get new coverage through an alternate source during the upcoming Open Enrollment Period. This demonstrates the positive impact the Affordable Care Act has had on the ability to access coverage, shop critically, and actively manage health insurance decisions as consumers. For both insured and uninsured independents, the largest portion of workers (38 percent) plan on shopping for a new plan during Open Enrollment.

The same survey found that independent workers are uninsured (35% of workers) at three times the rate of the general American population. The number one reason independent workers go uninsured is the price of coverage (63% of uninsured workers). Due to their fluctuating incomes, independent workers and self-employeds are uniquely challenged in navigating the government subsidies that can make coverage more affordable. Stride Health delivers complete health and financial guidance to ensure its partners’ workers maximize their access to those subsidized premiums.

Several of our partners, including Uber, Care.com, and TaskRabbit, are making commitments with the Department of Health and Human Services alongside Stride. These leading on-demand companies recognize that their independent workforces often struggle to navigate coverage on their own. They partner with Stride to strengthen their workers’ understanding of their options and to get the year-round support needed to unlock care in their plans.

“Caregivers do such valuable work caring for our families but they rarely have access to critical benefits, like medical and dental insurance, to care for their own families,” said Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Founder, Chairwoman and CEO of Care.com, “By partnering with Stride Health, we’re pioneering new ways to provide caregivers access to quality affordable healthcare benefits, often with significant cost savings.”

Stride partner TaskRabbit noted their year-round commitment to health. "TaskRabbit is committed to supporting Taskers' well-being with post enrollment guidance to free preventive care services, affordable healthcare in their plans, and in-network practitioners throughout the year," said TaskRabbit COO Ian Arthurs. "We're entering our fourth Open Enrollment with Stride Health because of a mutual dedication to ensuring Taskers can stay healthy and thrive.”

In partnering with HHS, Stride is honored to play a part in making it easier for more than 5 million Americans to understand their options, access the subsidies available to them, and get the care they need.

“Access to benefits shouldn’t be reserved for those in traditional, full-time employment. We’re excited to deliver access to high quality affordable health coverage options to millions of independent workers in partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services,” said Noah Lang, co-founder and CEO of Stride Health.

“Secretary Burwell’s commitment to ensure healthy outcomes for independent workers comes at a time when, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, our rapidly growing on-demand workforce has guaranteed access to the health coverage they need to strike out on their own. With partnerships like these, we’re able to deliver an experience that is above-and-beyond what Americans expect from traditional benefits to this critical, burgeoning part of America’s workforce.”

More information about the partnership can be found on the HHS Press Room.