Population Science Management (PSM) is a data research and analytics company. Self-employed individuals can join as Consumer Data Respondents (CDRs) by completing short monthly health and consumer surveys through the Covered365 mobile app. Becoming a CDR makes the person a Working Owner of PSM, and that Working Owner status is what provides access to group health benefits through a program called GigCare. GigCare is Non-ACA, under-65 group health coverage. It is real group coverage offered through national carriers and networks, but it is not ACA major medical and it is not for everyone.
This guide explains how the model works in plain English, who it tends to fit, who it does not, and how to find out which side you are on.
Last updated: June 2026.
Key takeaways
- PSM is a data research company. Joining as a Consumer Data Respondent makes you a Working Owner of PSM.
- Working Owner status is what opens access to GigCare, a Non-ACA group health benefit for the self-employed.
- The GigCare plans offered through this agency use only Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's statewide Network Blue and Aetna.
- Tier-one plans use a short health questionnaire, exclude significant pre-existing and chronic conditions, and do not cover specialty medications.
- Anyone who would qualify for a meaningful ACA subsidy should compare an ACA marketplace plan first.
How the Working Owner Model Works
Self-employed and 1099 workers usually cannot buy group health insurance on their own because group plans require an employer group. The Working Owner model is the structure that solves that:
- Join PSM as a Consumer Data Respondent. A CDR completes short monthly health and consumer surveys through the Covered365 app. PSM uses that data for research and analytics.
- Becoming a CDR makes you a Working Owner of PSM. That Working Owner relationship is what creates the group structure for benefit purposes.
- As a Working Owner, you can access GigCare group health benefits. This is how 1099, self-employed, and gig-economy workers can access group-style health plans that are normally not available to them in the individual market.
What GigCare Is
GigCare plans available through this agency use Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's statewide Network Blue and Aetna. Plans are administered by Detego Health, the third-party administrator that processes claims and provides the member portal and the Covered365 app. For a deeper look at what is included, see what a GigCare plan covers and what it does not.
Beyond the medical plan, member benefits commonly include:
- Telehealth
- Pharmacy benefit management
- Diabetes management and supplies
- Care guides
- Price-transparency and prescription-savings tools
Specific plan availability, networks, carriers, member benefits, and details vary by state and can change over time. Always confirm current specifics with a licensed agent and the official plan documents before enrolling.
Who GigCare Is a Good Fit For
- Self-employed people, 1099 contractors, gig workers, real estate agents, truckers, and other independent professionals.
- People who earn too much to qualify for an ACA premium tax credit and want an affordable group-style option.
- People who are highly mobile or who want a broad national provider network rather than a narrow one.
Who GigCare Is Not a Good Fit For
This part matters. PSM and GigCare are not the right answer for everyone, and the honest answer up front saves people money and frustration.
- People with significant pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses. The tier-one GigCare plans are designed for people without those conditions, and there is a short health questionnaire that determines eligibility. If you do not qualify, the honest next step is to compare ACA marketplace options instead.
- People who take expensive specialty medications. PSM plans do not cover specialty medications. If you rely on specialty drugs, an ACA plan is usually a better fit.
- People who would qualify for a large ACA subsidy. Because GigCare is Non-ACA coverage, it does not use income-based premium tax credits. Anyone who would receive a meaningful subsidy on the marketplace should compare both options carefully before deciding. Our ACA subsidies guide explains how subsidies work.
How It Differs From an ACA Marketplace Plan
The simplest way to think about it: an ACA marketplace plan is individual coverage that any U.S. resident can buy, with guaranteed-issue rules and income-based subsidies. GigCare is Non-ACA group coverage that requires becoming a Working Owner of PSM, has a short health questionnaire for eligibility, and does not use ACA subsidies. Different mechanics, different audiences. For a side-by-side breakdown, see GigCare vs ACA Marketplace for the self-employed. If you earn too much to qualify for a subsidy, our guide to health insurance for 1099 workers without a subsidy walks through every legitimate option. For a broader view of coverage that does not follow ACA rules, see non-ACA health insurance explained.
How to Find Out If It Fits You and How to Enroll
The simplest path is a short conversation with a licensed independent agent who can:
- Walk through the short health questionnaire and check whether you are eligible for the tier-one GigCare plans.
- Quote an ACA marketplace plan in your state with any subsidy you may qualify for, so you can see both side by side.
- Explain the trade-offs in plain English, including how each plan handles your specific doctors, prescriptions, and budget.
If GigCare is the right fit, enrollment happens through the agent and Detego Health (the third-party administrator). If it is not, the better answer is usually an ACA marketplace plan or, for some small business owners, one of the employer group health alternatives. For a broader look at the self-employed landscape, see our health insurance guide for the self-employed.
A Plain Disclaimer
Plan availability, networks, carriers, member benefits, eligibility rules, and pricing vary by state and change over time. Nothing on this page is a quote or a guarantee of coverage. Please confirm current specifics with a licensed agent and the official plan documents before enrolling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Population Science Management (PSM)?
PSM is a data research and analytics company. Self-employed individuals can join as Consumer Data Respondents by completing short monthly health and consumer surveys through the Covered365 app. Joining makes the person a Working Owner of PSM, which is the structure that provides access to GigCare group health benefits.
Is GigCare real insurance?
GigCare is Non-ACA, under-65 group health coverage offered through national carriers. The plans available through this agency use Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's statewide Network Blue and Aetna. Plans are administered by Detego Health. It is real group health coverage, but it is not ACA major medical.
Who qualifies for GigCare?
Self-employed and 1099 workers who can become Working Owners of PSM by joining as a Consumer Data Respondent. A short health questionnaire determines eligibility for the tier-one plans.
Is GigCare ACA coverage?
No. GigCare is Non-ACA group health coverage and does not use ACA premium tax credits. Anyone who would qualify for a large ACA subsidy should compare both options before deciding.
Does GigCare cover pre-existing conditions and specialty drugs?
The tier-one GigCare plans are designed for people without significant pre-existing or chronic conditions, and PSM plans do not cover specialty medications. People who need either are usually better served by an ACA marketplace plan.
What is the Covered365 app and the Working Owner model?
Covered365 is the mobile app Consumer Data Respondents use to complete short monthly surveys for PSM. Completing those surveys establishes the Working Owner relationship with PSM, which provides access to the GigCare group benefits.
What member benefits come with GigCare?
Beyond the medical plan, member benefits commonly include telehealth, pharmacy benefit management, diabetes management and supplies, care guides, and price-transparency and prescription-savings tools. Specific benefits vary by plan and can change over time.
How do I enroll?
The honest first step is a short conversation with a licensed agent who can check eligibility, compare GigCare against an ACA plan with any subsidy you may qualify for, and walk you through the trade-offs. From there, enrollment runs through the agent and the administrator.
Not sure whether GigCare or an ACA plan is right for you? I'm a licensed independent agent based in Omaha. I can run the eligibility check, quote both sides, and help you pick the option that actually fits your situation. Free consultation, no obligation, no pressure.
Book a free consultation with Nick Depke or call (402) 680-6171.