Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Chelsea M. | Delivered November 6, 2020

Healthcare Needs of Gig Workers

Goals

Identify the primary healthcare needs of gig workers, including specifically those that are moms, young millennials (millennials over 26), and small business owners aged 28-50. 

Early Findings

Overall, healthcare is a top concern among freelancers. Freelancers primarily value healthcare that is portable, or not tied to any specific job. 
According to a 2018 study, of those that freelance full-time, healthcare was their biggest concern. 
According to a 2019 study of freelancers, 72% reported that access to healthcare was their biggest concern. 
Additionally, many people may not be freelancing full time in order to keep their healthcare benefits from their full-time job. 
Freelancers in general are more likely than the average American to support the Affordable Care Act and single-payer health insurance, as well as government assistance to low-income individuals in order to pay for healthcare. 
Most importantly, freelancers want their healthcare to be portable — not tied to any specific job. 
 83% of full-time freelancers in 2019 reported they had health insurance. 24% purchased the plan themselves, 21% had Medicaid, 19% had Medicare, 15% received insurance through a spouses plan, 12% received insurance through their work, and 7% received insurance through their parents plan. 
Of full-time freelancers that purchase their own healthcare plan, 47% reported paying more for insurance in 2019 than they did in 2018. 
In order to obtain more benefits, 81% of full-time freelancers wanted to simply take home more in pay, rather than get benefits directly from their clients/employer. 
Freelancers need healthcare that covers preexisting conditions, as one in five freelancers reports "face[ing] health challenges that would prevent them from working if it weren’t for freelancing."