FREELANCERS UNION BLOG

  • Finance, Community

Update on Billing and Customer Service

Dear Members, In my last blog post, I laid out our plans for enhancing our customer service. The most significant improvement will be shifting our billing and enrollment vendor to HealthPlan Services (HPS). Throughout the summer we’ll keep you informed through blog updates, dedicated emails, and The Buzz, our e-newsletter. Members have been telling us for some time that they’d prefer to receive their bills closer to the actual month of coverage, rather than 45 days in advance. We’re happy to say that as part of this transition we are changing our billing to a 30 day cycle, not a 45 day cycle. This means you’ll now receive a bill during the month prior to your coverage, not 2 months before. For example, a December bill used to arrive on October 15th, but now will arrive on November 3rd. We believe this will make your life (and monthly budgeting) easier. Our team of insurance experts is working diligently with HPS to ensure that we have thoroughly tested the newly integrated systems so you receive the best possible service. Once we’re satisfied that we’re ready to go, we’ll alert you of the important upcoming dates to keep an eye out for, including a blackout period of a couple of days during which you won’t be able to make any changes or payments to your account. Switching our billing and enrollment vendor doesn’t change any of our current insurance plans, whether through FIC or Guardian, nor their rates or benefits. As always, keep me posted on your thoughts by responding in the comments section of this post or emailing me. Important news will be emailed and/or mailed to you, and I’ll also respond to members’ questions and comments through blog updates. You can also email Member Services at any point. If you are dealing with an ongoing billing problem that hasn’t been resolved, you can reach out to our Problem Resolution Team, a dedicated team of senior Member Services associates who will investigate your issue. sara_signature.jpg Sara Horowitz is the Executive Director of Freelancers Union.

Sara Horowitz As the founder of Freelancers Union, Sara has been a voice for freelancers for over two decades.