What Consumers Say About Partnership Plans
Traci's Story
I was starting a new job, and they weren’t going to offer insurance. … So I went looking around and found this and it’s just been wonderful ever since.
Traci H., 57
Kentucky
Traci is a patient services representative for a local hospital. She found her partnership plan because she needed cost-effective coverage when she took a job without benefits years ago.
“I was starting a new job, and they weren’t going to offer insurance,” she said. “They told me how much it would be out-of-pocket if I were to go on their insurance as an outsider and I just couldn’t afford it. So I went looking around and found this and it’s just been wonderful ever since.”
Traci pays about $200 a month, which is a third of the $600 she would have paid. The coverage has met her needs for mammograms and other basics. Traci says EASE has offered her an option that is both affordable and stable, which is why she has been a customer since 2018.
“In the past few years, I’ve moved around jobs … and this has been kind of a ‘steady’ for me,” she said. “I haven’t really had to worry too much about getting new insurance and signing up and paying something new. It’s just been constant for me and a lot less stressful than having to get insurance at every job.”
And if EASE were to disappear? “I would cry,” she said. “I would not be happy, that’s for sure.”
Kurt's Story
The health insurance industry is really just a totally overly complicated thing in my mind. To have a service work within such a confusing space is more than enough for me to stay.
Kurt H., 31
California
Kurt is a software developer in California who needed to purchase coverage for himself. Looking for an affordable plan, he did some shopping and came to land on a partnership plan, paying about $250 a month. It has helped him with everything from an emergency back injury to psychological care.
“The whole world of health insurance is extremely confusing to me,” he said. “I got signed up …and there have been no problems. I’ve had small procedures, nothing terribly major, but procedures, checkups, the works with hospitals and whatnot. And I’ve always had coverage. I haven’t been turned away due to the coverage that I have … so that’s a big win for me.”
Kurt knows that he is not buying premium insurance, but the plan has met his needs at a price he can afford—and that’s why he renews year after year.
“The fact that it works is why I’ve stayed,” he said. “The health insurance industry is really just a totally overly complicated thing in my mind. To have a service work within such a confusing space is more than enough for me to stay.”
Joanne's Story
I feel like I’m in the know and it’s really easy.
Joanne M., 49
Pennsylvania
Joanne is a mother of two teenage twins who runs her own marketing business. With her children insured by their dad, she needed coverage for herself.
“I was looking for something that was more affordable, but still gave me the coverage I needed,” she said.
With a premium of $248 a month, her partnership plan has covered her needs, including an expensive birth control procedure. She paid just $240 for an IUD that cost $1,000.
“I feel like I’m in the know and it’s really easy,” she said. “I need easy. I don’t have time to fiddle with calling people. Also, when I have had to call, I actually get to talk to someone quickly. … I find in my experience that the customer service was good.”
Matthew's Story
There’s no question that it works. I truly don’t have anything bad to say.
Matthew T., 42
New York
Matthew is the office supervisor for a construction business in New York. He traditionally obtained insurance through his wife. But when she changed jobs, costs increased and they were facing premiums of up to $700 a month for Matthew alone. Options at his own workplace were not much better.
“My current place of employment offers insurance, but it’s astronomical,” he said. “It’s almost to the point where you’re better off just walking into a doctor’s office and paying.”
Using a partnership plan, he pays $253 a month and he considers it a solid value. “There’s no question that it works,” he said. “I truly don’t have anything bad to say.”
In fact, Matthew has recommended it to colleagues.
“It has a purpose,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I have promoted it to a degree. If anyone’s in a pickle or you don’t like your insurance or you need a secondary insurance, I say [the plan] is a good option to check out.”