Stride Health - Employee FAQs

What’s the difference between employer-sponsored and individual insurance?

Employer-sponsored health insurance is provided by your employer. In most cases, it's a more cost-friendly option than getting insurance independently because most employers pay for all or part of the premium, and typically with pre-taxed dollars.

If your employer offers benefits or plans, we recommend applying through them instead of going with individual insurance. It’s important to consider all the plans available to make an educated decision for your budget.

For health insurance specifically, Individual and family health insurance is purchased by an individual for their own or their family’s coverage, entirely paid for by the individual after any eligible tax credits are applied. Premium payments are not usually eligible for pre-tax deductions.

How much does Stride cost?

Using Stride to view and shop for dental, vision, or individual and family insurance plans is free. If an employee or contractor decides to sign up with a carrier, they’ll be billed directly by the carrier for the cost of the plan.

Though insurance may seem expensive, there are savings that may help lower the premium payment. For health insurance specifically, employees or contractors might qualify for savings through tax credits that discount the cost of coverage based on factors like age, income, and where someone lives.

Note: Stride automatically estimates tax credits for employees and contractors to help them find the right plan.

Can I submit applications for spouses and dependents too?

Yes, you can cover your entire family through Stride. You can submit applications for each family member for only the coverage they need, whether it’s health, dental, vision, or all three.

Should I switch from Stride coverage to my company’s coverage?

If you enrolled in individual or family coverage through Stride but your employer is offering insurance coverage, we recommend you consider switching to your employer's plans. Some advantages for plans offered through your employer:

Plans may be more affordable considering the employer contribution
Your contributions are applied to payroll as pre rather than post-tax deductions
Plans may potentially offer better coverage

Being offered health insurance through your employer is generally considered a qualifying life event for the purposes of enrolling in employer-sponsored insurance and un-enrolling in individual and family insurance.

Reach out to your employer if you are unsure about your enrollment options.

Need more help?

For support

For more questions and info, please contact Homebase Customer Support.

If you're ready to enroll, contact Stride at (415)-930-9110.

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