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1099 Physician Retention Strategy

Watch Time: 2 Mins Reading Time: 4 Mins Presented by Jeffrey Szymanski Updated May 14, 2026
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Jeffrey Szymanski

Managing Partner

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Ready to review these numbers for your organization?

Welcome to the Hollowtree executive briefing on how healthcare systems are using portable benefits to attract and retain independent clinicians.

Independent 1099 clinicians typically lack access to group-rate disability and long-term care coverage. Organizations that bridge this gap gain a significant competitive advantage in physician recruitment.

Our data shows that healthcare systems offering group DI and LTC access to 1099 physicians see a 30% or greater improvement in contract renewal rates -- without reclassifying employment status.

The key is guaranteed-issue enrollment. By removing medical underwriting barriers, we make it possible for clinicians to access coverage they couldn't get on their own.

These portable plans travel with the clinician, creating a lasting goodwill advantage for the sponsoring organization -- even if the provider eventually moves to another system.

Hollowtree's tech-enabled enrollment process integrates seamlessly with existing credentialing workflows, requiring no additional administrative burden from practice managers.

Quick Answer

Healthcare systems that offer group DI and LTC access to 1099 physicians see 30%+ improvement in contract renewal rates. Guaranteed-issue enrollment removes the underwriting barriers that block most independent clinicians from securing individual coverage, creating a durable competitive advantage in recruitment.

Key Takeaways

Top Retention Factor

Independent clinicians consistently rank portable benefits -- particularly DI protection -- among their top three factors when choosing affiliations.

30%+ Renewal Improvement

Healthcare systems that offer group DI and LTC access to 1099 physicians see 30%+ improvement in contract renewal rates.

Guaranteed-Issue Access

Guaranteed-issue enrollment eliminates the medical underwriting barrier that prevents many clinicians from securing individual coverage.

Portable & Lasting

Portable DI plans travel with the clinician, creating lasting goodwill even if the provider moves to another system.

Seamless Integration

Hollowtree's enrollment process runs alongside existing credentialing workflows with no additional admin burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 1099 contractors receive employer-sponsored benefits?

Yes. Portable, voluntary DI and LTC plans can be offered to independent clinicians without reclassifying their employment status, because the clinician pays the premium.

What enrollment rates should we expect?

Guaranteed-issue group programs typically achieve enrollment rates 3-5x higher than individually marketed policies because there is no medical underwriting.

Does offering benefits to 1099 physicians create co-employment risk?

No. The plans are structured as voluntary, portable benefits paid by the clinician. Hollowtree's legal framework has been reviewed to avoid co-employment implications.

Zero Lift for Your HR Team

Hollowtree handles 100% of the implementation so your team can stay focused on what matters.

Carrier negotiations & plan design
Employee communications & enrollment
Compliance documentation & reporting

About the Presenter

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Jeffrey Szymanski

Managing Partner

Jeff Szymanski is a Managing Partner at Hollowtree, where he leverages 30 years of elite financial experience to lead Strategy & Growth. A four-time builder of the nation’s #1 mortgage team and a nine-time Wells Fargo President’s Club recipient, Jeff has a proven track record of managing $1–$3 billion in annual funding. Now focused on Group Disability and Long-Term Care, he applies his deep expertise in market leadership to help clients architect robust protection plans. Jeff is dedicated to a strategic, results-driven approach that secures the financial well-being of the professionals and organizations we serve.

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