I agree with those that are bringing up the “entitlement” issue. Of course this plan isn’t for everyone. It won’t work for me, and I am uninsured. That being said, DS obviously put a lot of thought and planning into this effort. I think that, in itself, is a real good thing.

Where some people get off being angry about this amazes me. Since when, as a freelancer, are they entitled to anything but pay for the work they do? What other client has done what DS has done in searching out this coverage, however meager some think it is?

I could use this as an illustration of the current mindset of Americans in general, but this is a writer’s website, not a political one, so I won’t go there.

Thank you, Deb, for hosting this thread and thank you, Demand, for the offer.

There was nothing mandatory about this plan, right?

No-one was forced to take up the offer or lose their DS work, correct? All that is on offer here is a choice… Who would cry foul about being given options?!?!

Like I said, I’m not griping about the plan, really, I’m sure they did the best they good. If I decide I want kids in the future, it’s nice that I could join and have at least some prenatal visits and a hospital stay for delivery included. I just had my hopes up in ways I wouldn’t have if the benefits landing page had been more clear.

That being said, anything DS is offering can be considered as part of compensation. It’s certainly not a “cadillac” plan, but the self-employed don’t have a lot of options (I don’t qualify for NASE plan due to surgery of 42 years ago, despite no complications since).

We’re all frustrated on every side of the fence. No matter what we feel, we still need to remember we are all freelancers. Low pay, high pay, print, internet, whatever…we are all freelancers and we should be civil. Hey- I have been guilty of far worse than what you posted

Freelancing has some of the highest emotional topics, because as a group we’re over-looked and not taken seriously enough. It’s going to happen: the arguments.

I think the gesture is well-intended. Basically, there are thousands of writers for Demand Studios and it will be IMPOSSIBLE to please all of them at the same time. DS is a company that lays all their cards on the table. It’s not a scam. The system has it’s quirks and annoyances, but so does every job, from 9-to-5s to temporary gigs.

Overall, there’s no denying that DS is a company that allows many writers to make a decent income, supplement their existing income, or earn splurge money. They didn’t have to offer the health insurance option, but they definitely got the ball rolling in a different direction regarding options available to freelance writers, don’t you think?

I think what we’re hearing and seeing is not a sense of entitlement at all. I’m not sure where that idea (that it is entitlement speaking) is coming from.

What I’m hearing people saying is, (and here the I is what I’m hearing):

1. I really had high hopes that this would be the answer to my insurance problem prayers.
2. It wasn’t.
3. Thus I am extremely disappointed.

That disappointment is taking many forms, from simply taking a pass to rabidly snarling that DS lied. People have all sorts of emotional reactions when they’re disappointed. It has nothing to do with being an ingrate or not deserving respect.

Anyone in any profession could have that sort of a reaction in response to a major disappointment of a point of fear and anger. In truth, it’s always been a point of anger for me when I learned that generating my own employment (thus leaving a job open for someone else) means that I’ve gotten cut out of nearly every structure of the modern world for a time, from a mortgage, to renting an apartment (thank god I already had one, but I can’t make a change any time soon) to health insurance. Either the cost is prohibitive or I need two years of tax returns. I’ve always said small business in /general/ needed more support.

I see that DS is trying to give that support, but yes, I can see how people look at this and go, “This is not solving my problem.” That said, I did some research this morning and it looks like what they’re doing is basically called an indemnity policy. I did find a better, cheaper, anyone-qualifies indemnity policy almost immediately so I know I’ll go with that. (The name of that company is C1 Health Direct). I don’t feel like DS lied and I’m sure they did the best they could, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying, “That is not a very good insurance plan.” I look at that plan and see that the /Insurance Provider/ (and not DS) is selling a, “So I can say I have insurance insurance plan.” That’s not entirely bad because some doctors and hospitals won’t even see you without that much, but it’s not exactly great protection either.

No one is being nasty to the other writers for their choice to use or pass on the plans offered. In fact, a few of us gave alternatives.

Coming here just to insult others for sharing frustrations is as counter-productive as what you’re very rudely pointing out that we are doing. For your information, I for one have very vocally defended Deb and Demand Studios away from FWJ. So have others. I don’t appreciate being called names just for tactfully pointing out why I disagree or dislike a program.

Calling names is not a good example of how to act grown up.

You do your work and get paid for it, that’s what they owe you. All the bickering here and at the forum is petty and immature. GROW UP.

Your sense of entitlement is an embarrassment.YES, I AM talking about YOU. Why should DS do anything for you now especially the ones who are INSISTING DS lied. Some of the people at the forum just pick,pick pick for drama sake (as usual) and others have valid concerns but no one owes you anyting. If you don’t trust Demand and insist they lied then don’t work for them. Move on and good riddance. I hope it’s a cold day in hell before they do anything for any of you ingrates again.

Congratulations everyone. Deb spends all her time fighting people so you get respect and you all just proved to them why you don’t deserve it. I hope you’re happy with yourselves.

Ingrates.

My hat is off to Demand Studios for the effort and option. I did not develop “unrealistic” expectations of the plan as some said they got through the announcements. I suspect it is all in how you look at reality. Fortune 500 companies (at least at the present time) are not REQUIRED to offer any type of coverage for their full-time (non-freelance) staff. They do it for competition and retention purposes. DS has stepped up to the plate in the freelance environment for the same reasons. Moreover, they realize their people (freelancers) are their greatest assets.

Perhaps many of the DS freelance whiners [writers] freelance, because they could not make it in any other type of work environment. Entitlement and all, you know.

If you don’t like it, pass on it, be professional and move on with your work.

What most people would consider health insurance would be if you paid the four hundred bucks a month and in turn had the right to see a doctor with a minimal co-pays whenever you felt like it and nearly had all your medical expenses covered if you got really sick.

This doesn’t do that. Why is it so hard to understand that people aren’t particularly grateful at being asked to shell out a considerable sum of money each month for very little in return?

That being said, for someone who can’t get insurance elsewhere because of supposed pre-existing conditions, this could be better than nothing. I still think, though, putting all that money into your own HSA would be better than paying for insurance that won’t protect you from bankruptcy at the first sign of illness.

It looks and sounds like DS, like everyone else, got used by the insurance company they negotiated with. And I agree, what they made this sound like preceding the release of the actual details and what it is are two very, very different things.

Thank you, Demand Studios, for offering freelance writers the chance to get health insurance. Yes, qualifications apply. No, they won’t cover your cosmetic surgery or your tummy tuck. (probably not, I didn’t check the policy). But if you get into a car accident, you’ll be plenty glad you had insurance.

Go for it guys! If Demand Studios is your thing and you need insurance, it sounds like a good deal.

I do understand some of the disappointment, but again, DS didn’t have to provide anything. This may not be the perfect plan, but it is certainly a start! And as Deb has already implied, there are more great the works. If everyone keeps having tantrums that they didn’t get what they think they are entitled to, DS may just say why bother. No one is ever happy with what they do anyhow.

This is just another option for freelancers. if it doesn’t work, find something that does. But can’t we appreciate that we have been provided with another option instead of thinking we are entitled to have our demands met? They sad truth is, we are not entitled. And if we thought we were, choosing a freelance career is probably not the best choice we can make.

I want to say one more thing, though I’m sure no one cares. I was very hesitant to apply with DS because of all the terrible things I read about them. But I decided I had to decide for myself. Others’ opinions are valuable but they may not reflect my experience. So I gave it a shot. And I’m glad I did.

They are not my primary client, but when I do write for DS the experience is a good one. I have only had one CE that I thought was not very nice. Maybe she/he was having a bad day. It happens. Overall this company is build on a pretty good model and there is so much room for growth. The possibilities are exciting and I’m happy to be a part of it.

Same with doctor’s visits and hospital stays.

If you go with this plan, you should also get a high-deductible, catastrophic plan if you can afford it/qualify for one, to limit your out-of-pocket costs if something really, really bad happens.

I’m not sure what the problems is here. I remember the first announcement for DS health care and every one since. None of them promised any specific type of coverage. I know that there are areas for improvement, but there will always be areas of improvement. I am grateful to get some type of coverage for essential working 30 hours a month for three months (and DS says I can’t “unqualify” if I stop writing for them).

I am also member of the Freelancer’s Union and it was formerly my best bet. But I no longer live in NY state so the coverage offered in my state was more expensive and wouldn’t include my pre-existing condition. So, yeah, this is kinda perfect.

Long after I didn’t need the money to supplement my income, I worked as a waitress 35 hours a week just so that I could keep the group health insurance. I’m sure that this was a business decision on DS’s part. A very smart one. Because if DS had offered basic health coverage two or three years ago, I would have started writing there a long time ago.

Sure, there aren’t any co-pays-but that’s because the plan only pays you a set amount to cover a doctor’s visit. When most people read “no-copays” they think, great, I can visit a doctor without paying out of pocket (except maybe for prescriptions). With this plan, if your doctor’s visit costs more than what the plan contributes, you are still on the hook for the remainder-however much that may be.

Again, I’m grateful for the offer and I’m totally convinced they did the best they could, but there was room for improvement in the way that they managed our expectations.

There are also some states that offer discounted insurance plans to people below a certain income level (like New York’s Healthy New York plan).

Next is the inconsistencies with what DS says and the manual provided states. As I said on a forum, I think DS was promised something that wasn’t delivered. If this is the case, shame on the provider. I do appreciate that they tried- but what about those of us with large families? Or disabled children? I know I’m not the only one.

I’m not ready to burn down the studio [lol], but I am angry. My hopes were high. I didn’t expect the sky, but I did expect a traditional bare bones high deductible plan. Even with a high deductible I can have all annual exams, glasses, and other typical care covered 100% by paying around $100 more, through Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Open enrollment. No minimum of articles for any single client. For my entire family.

I will continue to write for DS, not trying to run people away from there. But for anyone in search of traditional insurance coverage- here is a link. http://www.freelancersunion.org/insurance/index.html As I said, the lowest plan has crazy deductibles but you’d be surprised how fast that can be met in an emergency or critical situation. I’m a member of the Union- it’s free and it allows us to have a voice.