As musicians we know that one of the key reasons artists stop working
as artists is because they get to a time in their life where they
admit to themselves that they need health insurance. Because
they think they can’t afford it themselves, or because they
have a pre-existing condition that makes them uninsurable, many a
talented songwriter has been dragged off the stage and into the cubicle
of a corporation that offers group benefits to employees.
There are, however, some artists that keep one foot on the road
and one foot in retail. As part of the HINT project, we are collecting
information about companies that offer what we consider to be laudable
health insurance services for their employees as well as the flexibility
to give musicians the time they need to record, perform and tour.
Starbucks offers health insurance coverage to its “baristas” and
other employees if they work as few as 20 hours per week. In
a September 15, 2005 article, Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz
stated that Starbucks spent more than $200 million to provide health
insurance to its 100,000 employees – more than it spends
on coffee itself.
Grocer Whole Foods offers health insurance to its fulltime
workers after completing 400 hours of work, as well as an $1,800
allowance for personal wellness, dental and vision.
Costco, the members-only discount retailer, not only offers
a decent plan to its employees (unlike its larger competitors Wal-Mart
and Sam’s Club), it also offers small business insurance
to its “Executive” members in Washington, Nevada, California,
Oregon, Hawaii. In August 2005, Costco began offering individual
health insurance policies via a pilot program launched in California.
It targets mom-and-pop business owners, and those without a job
or without job-provided health insurance.
What other companies offer artists the flexibility to continue with
their work as well as heath benefits? Let us know hint@futureofmusic.org
Health
Alliance right prescription for uninsured musicians Nearly
500 musicians have signed up for care this year, provided by Austin's
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians Austin American Statesman, March 13, 2006
Musicians who
juggle jobs say latest cuts are too great Shreveport Symphony musicians struggle with paycuts and reductions in health
insurance coverage Shreveport Times, February 14, 2006
Coverage and Access
NPR's Ed Gordon interviews David Nathan, chair of the R&B Foundation,
about the lack of health insurance coverage among many musicians. According
to Nathan, many people assume that recording and performing artists "have
some huge amount of money that they generate, but that's just not the case.
NPR's News and Notes with Ed Gordon January
20, 2006
Soundman Versus Flesh-Eating Bacteria. His next challenge: a six-figure
medical bill Chicago musicians organize benefits to help soundman Gary Schepers Chicago Reader, January 6, 2006
Band Aid: Musicians Taking Care of their Own Chicago musicians and labels organize benefits to help soundman Gary Schepers Chicago Tribune, January 20, 2006
Most Temp, Part-Time Workers Lack Job-Linked Health Insurance
Commonwealth Fund study shows that only 21 percent of America's 34 million
part-time workers have health insurance from their job. Forbes, December 1, 2005
A New Pension for Struggling Artists Though it's about visual artists, an interesting article about artists pooling
their resources to create long-term security.
by Julie Salamon New
York Times, July 20, 2004
Band Aid for an Ailing Musician Almost 90 percent of the musicians surveyed
had played a benefit for another musician, though even the most successful
benefit seldom makes more than a symbolic dent in typically huge
health care debts.
By Richard Harrington Washington Post, April 9, 2004
Health Insurance Crisis Lingers for Biz The number of uninsured musicians remains high
By Chris Morris Billboard, March 13, 2004
Songs in the Key of Major Medical
By Peter Margasak Chicago Reader, November 28, 2003
Chic drummer Tony Thompson dies Thompson, who was also one of the world's most famous session musicians,
died of renal cancer. A fund was set up to help Thompson with medical bills
last week, as the drummer had no medical insurance. NME, November
14, 2003
Health Care for Recording Artists? In 2003, AFTRA approved an agreement with BMG,
EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner
Music Group. The agreement
would make available health care insurance to all union-affiliated performing
artists under exclusive contract to a recording label, for the duration
of their contracts.
By Barry Willis Stereophile, October 6, 2003
Disclaimer: Future of Music Coalition provides basic
health insurance information to answer your basic health insurance option
questions. Insurance is regulated on a federal basis and by each state,
and each insurance carrier rules and policy terms may differ from state
to state and between individuals. Therefore, you acknowledge and agree
that any insurance-related information provided by or through the Website
is general information only, and may not apply to your particular situation.
FMC does not endorse any insurance carrier, product, or policy and is
not responsible or liable for any information provided on the website,
by a HINT representative or other resource. FMC shall not be responsible
for any injury, loss, or damage which occurs as a result of any statements,
advice or information provided in or through the HINT program, or for
the reliability or accuracy of same. In addition, any user of the HINT
program who chooses to make any personally identifiable information or
other information publicly available to a HINT representative or otherwise
does so at his or her own risk. Such disclosures
are expressly excluded from the terms of our Privacy
Policy.For more information see our terms
of service
Fractured
Atlas is a nonprofit service organization for artists and
creators. One of the benefits they offer their members is access
to group health insurance. Visit the website and select your
state from the menu to see the state-specific insurance options.
Membership in the organization is $75 annual for an individual, but
there are also affordable group rates starting at $150.
AHIRC:
The Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center is an
online database created by the Actors’ Fund with a grant from
the National Endowment for the Arts. Data is organized by state
and includes information about resources in each state for artists,
and lists of insurers of all kinds. Access to this data is
free.
Health
Alliance for Austin Musicians If you are an uninsured,
professional musician in the Austin, TX area, you may be eligible
for low-cost primary health care services, basic dental care and
mental health counseling provided by HAAM.
SIMS Foundation is
a non-profit organization that provides access to low-cost mental
health services for Austin, TX musicians and their immediate families.
Texas Music Office is a state-funded business promotion and information clearinghouse for the musicians of Texas. The insurance page provides a detailed list of health insurance options for residents of Texas.
A
Consumer Guide for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance Created
by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, this website
provides legal information about your rights as a health insurance
consumer for each state. Updated regularly.
eHealthinsurance.com A
for-profit broker that consolidates information about plans and premiums
on their website.
