Startups, Payers

Stride Health partners with CareLinx to provide heath coverage for caregivers

San Francisco-based Stride Health claims its personalized recommendations can direct caregivers to the plan right for them and find subsidies that can defray out-of-pocket health insurance payments.

Professional caregivers are one of the fastest growing job sectors in the country, and with the population over the age of 65 expected to double to 98 million by 2060 demand for workers in the field is only set to increase.

One major problem with the industry though is that caregivers are generally independent workers or paid under the table, meaning that they don’t receive benefits associated with full-time employment.

San Francisco based Stride Health, an insurance brokerage startup focused on connecting freelance and independent workers to benefits, has partnered with independent caregiver marketplace CareLinx to provide better access to health and benefit plans.

“The Stride experience starts with answering a few short questions and ends with affordable, comprehensive coverage in ten minutes,” Stride CEO Noah Lang said in a statement.

“We develop tailored plan recommendations, identify subsidies that workers may be eligible to receive, and help them complete their enrollment. We’re proud to be working with CareLinx to bring these benefits to their growing community of caregivers.”

Stride claims its personalized recommendations can direct caregivers to the plan right for them and find subsidies that can defray out-of-pocket health insurance payments. The company’s platform makes it easier for workers to understand complex health plans and estimate their own costs for tests, medication, procedures and premiums.

Alongside health insurance coverage, caregivers on Stride will also be able to sign up for vision, dental and life insurance.

Stride was founded in 2013 and has raised more than $38 million from investors, including a $23.5 million Series B round last year.

Besides CareLinx, the company has also signed up Care.com, DoorDash, Etsy, Instacart, Postmates, TaskRabbit, Rover and Uber as customers.

Other similar insurance navigator companies looking to compete with Stride include Wellthie, Zipari and PicWell.

“Finding quality healthcare coverage can be unnecessarily complex for professional caregivers working for families,” CareLinx CEO Sherwin Sheik said in a statement.

“Through our partnership with Stride, every one of our caregivers will be able to easily find the best health insurance plan for them and their families, and see if they qualify for lower premiums.”

CareLinx is based in San Bruno, California and provides an online marketplace for more than 300,000 caregivers to connect with families looking for their services. The company was founded in 2011 and was acquired by insurance giant Generali Global Assistance last year.

Photo: jacoblund, Getty Images

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