Oscar Health sees the rise of gig work and independent contractors shaping the future of health insurance coverage.
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Reporting its third-quarter results Thursday (Nov. 5), the health plan carrier highlighted how macroeconomic workforce shifts — driven by those workers as well as early retirees — are guiding how Americans purchase insurance. The earnings showed the company’s revenues rising 70% to $5.1 billion, with its membership ticking up from 2.1 million to 2.6 million.
As more workers step away from traditional corporate employment, consumer demand is shifting toward flexible individual health plans. CEO Mark Bertolini emphasized that changing labor dynamics require healthcare platforms to match modern digital retail expectations.
“Americans are building careers on their own terms,” Bertolini said on the earnings call. “They are starting businesses, combining part-time work, participating in the gig economy, and retiring early.”
He added: “People expect healthcare to work like the best consumer products — simple, transparent and personalized.”
To capitalize on these demographic shifts, Oscar is expanding tailored lifestyle products. These include “Retirees,” aimed at 2.5 million early retirees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and “Hy-Vee Health with Oscar,” a concierge care model targeted at gig workers, part-time employees, and workers at small businesses.
Central to the company’s expansion is technology and artificial intelligence. Oscar integrated new AI capabilities into its core platform to clarify complex benefits and expanded its standalone “Lucy” shopping platform.
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