Health Insurance is consistently identified as a primary concern for artists who pursue their livelihood through their art. The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is committed to addressing the issue of health insurance for artists.

The health insurance issue is defined by the New York based advocacy group “Working Today” (www.workingtoday.org) as follows: “With the rapid escalation of health care costs over the past forty years, insurance coverage has become a major problem for employers, their employees, and the unemployed. Faced with rising health insurance premiums, many employers are reducing benefits or eliminating coverage altogether. Employers have changed many full-time positions to freelance, perma-lance, or consulting arrangements, resulting in an increasing number of workers who lack any kind of coverage. Current policies assume insurance will come from employers and rates are set according to the number of employees in a company in order to spread the risks. Those who don’t receive insurance through an employer are forced to purchase on the individual market, where premiums are the most expensive. Since many independent workers earn too little to afford such premiums, but too much to qualify for state health programs, an increasing number are forgoing health insurance altogether.”

The problem is exacerbated in Rhode Island where options for insurance providers are limited to one major carrier and where state and federal insurance programs do not address the needs of people who do not have children, do not have disabilities and are under the age of 65.  Rhode Island is also home to a large number of self-employed entrepreneurs and non-profit workers who cannot afford basic insurance premiums. Over 100,000 people are uninsured in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is committed to addressing the issue of health insurance for artists.  It is our contention that all citizens deserve basic health care and we recognize that artists, who are often self-employed, non-profit, or contracted workers, are disproportionately underinsured compared to other professionals.   As a first step in addressing the issue of healthcare, we have compiled a list of healthcare options available to artists.  Future initiatives may include the creation of an artists’ group health insurance plan to be administered by a local artists’ services agency or advocacy for specific policy changes to benefit individuals in need of health insurance.  Stay tuned.

This page contains information about health insurance and healthcare resources that are currently available to Rhode Island artists.  It also includes information on advocacy work that you can become involved with at a state and local level to improve access to health insurance for Rhode Island artists.  If you know of additional healthcare resources for Rhode Island artists, please let us know so we can include that information within this format and make it available to others. [top]

Clinical Care for the uninsured:

Rhode Island Free Clinic

The Rhode Island Free Clinic offers high-quality medical care and preventative health services to individuals who do not heave health insurance or cannot afford to purchase those services.  The clinic is staffed by volunteers and serves as an educational resource for trainees in the healthcare field under the supervision of clinicians from leading academic institutions in Rhode Island.  Operations include a podiatry clinic, women’s clinic, diabetes and mental health maintenance clinics, and the uninsured artists’ clinic.  Although the RI Free Clinic is a non-profit organization run by volunteers, it is regulated and licensed in the same manner as hospitals and other medical institutions, ensuring a high level of care.  It is the only clinic of its kind in the state.  The clinic turns away patients on a daily basis do to the overwhelming need for services.  Dr. Bruce Becker of Rhode Island Hospital was the leading force behind the creation of the Artists’ Clinic, which was initiated in 2004.  The RI Free Clinic does not accept new patients except on monthly uninsured artists’ clinic days.  Services include primary and preventative health care, including physical examinations and follow-up, disease management through follow-up visits, medication and health education, donated samples of patient medication, and facilitated referrals to specialty health and social service clinics.   STD screening is not conducted on Artist Clinic days.  The RIFC schedules Artist Walk-In Days once a month.  To find out when the next Artist Clinic Days are scheduled and to ask any questions, call 401-274-6347 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 1-2:00 pm.

The RI Free Clinic operates on private donations and donated and in-kind services.  Therefore, increased public support will allow for increased services to the public (Does anyone out there want to donate web design time to the clinic?  They need a site!). [top]

Hillside Health Access Alliance

The Hillside Health Access Alliance provides primary healthcare to people without health insurance and to those with defined contribution plans.  The Alliance is sponsored by Hillside Family & Community Medicine – “a community-oriented family practice with eight board certified physicians” with offices in Pawtucket.  This healthcare plan offers vaccinations and other preventative services, check-ups and follow-up visits, same day access to physicians during sickness, and 24 hour access to on-call physicians.  The program does not include medications, emergency services, medical equipment or supplies, hospital stays, lab work, and other specialty services.  Patients pay a quarterly membership fee and $10 per visit.  Call Hillside at 401-725-6160 for more information or visit them at 407 East Ave, Suite 150, Pawtucket, 02860.  Or go to www.hillsidefamily.com [top]

Health Insurance for Individuals and Families:

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the largest health insurance provider in the state and it is the only major health insurance company in Rhode Island that provides health coverage directly to individuals and their families.  Blue Cross & Blue Shield offers three plans for individuals and their families: Direct Blue Standard, Direct Blue Economy and HealthMate Coast-to-Coast Direct.  Each of these plans provides specific kinds of coverage for specific medical situations (for example, Direct Blue Economy covers only emergency and urgent care) and should be considered carefully.  Monthly rates depend upon your age, health and pre-existing conditions, and the plan you choose.  Individuals can apply throughout the year for preferred rates of coverage, which are significantly lower than basic rates.  For example, an adult female under the age of 29 will pay $239.94 per month preferred rate and $471.38 per month basic rate (these are sample rates and not guaranteed).  Rates increase as you get older. Getting insurance is always an application process.  If you have not had continual coverage for over 12 months or if you have certain preexisting conditions, you can be denied insurance coverage altogether.   In these cases you would have to apply during open enrollment period during which Blue Cross will unconditionally accept your application for its basic rates and possibly for preferred rates.  This year, open enrollment is between August 15 and September 15 for coverage that begins on October 1.  These open enrollment periods only take place yearly.  (Under current Rhode Island law, if you have a pre-existing condition and do have 12 months continuous coverage, you cannot be denied coverage nor can an insurer exclude your pre-existing condition). Blue Cross & Blue Shield will send you an information packet that describes their individual and family plans if you contact their customer service line at 401-459-5000 or 1-800-639-2227 or you can go to www.BCBSRI.com [top]

Medicaid

Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who cannot afford medical care or who cannot pay for some or all of their medical bills.  Medicaid is a health insurance program only for certain low-income people that is funded and administered through a state-federal partnership.   The program is run differently from state to state, but all states must cover: inpatient and outpatient hospital services; laboratory and X-ray services, skilled nursing and home health services, doctors' services; family planning; periodic health checkups; diagnosis and treatment for children. The categories of eligible groups for whom federal funds are available include: pregnant women, children and teenagers, persons with disabilities, the elderly (over the age of 65) and, in some cases, people who have very high medical bills. 

Rhode Island’s Medicaid managed programs are Rite Care and Rite Share.  Rite Care provides eligible uninsured people with comprehensive health insurance.  Rite Share is a program that helps low income families who have health insurance through their employer to pay for their portion of their employee health care costs.  In Rhode Island, Medicaid patients sign up with Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, United Healthcare of New England or Blue CHiP.  All Medicaid patients receive dental coverage as well. Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island was designed to guarantee health insurance for all Rhode Island children and has nearly succeeded in that goal.  A family of two, such as a mother and child, are eligible for Neighborhood Health Plan if the mother earns less than $1,925 per month gross or under $23,000 per year.  If that same mother earns up to $31,000 per year, only her child is eligible for coverage.  For families earning under $23,000 gross per year, all coverage is free.  Families earning more than that amount, but who are still eligible for the program, pay premiums ranging from $60 - $92 per month.  There is no co-pay for doctor visits, medical tests or medicines and there is full coverage for all accidents.  Individuals who do not have children, are under the age of 65, do not have major disabilities and illegal immigrants do not qualify for Medicaid programs.  (The rates listed above are samples of current rates as of the writing of this article [July 2004]. Rates may change and are not guaranteed.

To find out if you are eligible, contact the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02921 Local Telephone: 401-462-5300 Spanish Phone: 401-462-1500 Local TTY: 401-462-3363 Website: www.dhs.state.ri.us [top]

Medicare

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the federal agency that administers Medicare, the nation's largest health insurance program, which covers nearly 40 million Americans. Medicare provides health insurance to people age 65 or older, some people with disabilities under age 65, and people with permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant. Medicare includes Hospital Insurance, which covers inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility services, home health services, and hospice care.  It also provides Medical Insurance, which helps pay for doctor services, outpatient hospital services, medical equipment and supplies, and other health services and supplies.

To find out if you are eligible for Medicare, call 1-800-662-5170.  The CMS telephone number for questions about the national program is toll-free: 877-267-2323 or go to www.cms.hhs.gov or www.rimedicare.org [top]

Employee Benefits Organizations

The Good Neighbor Alliance Corporation

The Good Neighbor Alliance is a small business benefit resource center and insurance brokerage firm located in East Greenwich, RI. They provide a variety of health plans for the self-employed or business owners.  To find out more go to www.goodneighborall.com . [top]

Membership Organizations

Some service organizations are able to provide group insurance plans to their members.  These arrangements can provide members with a range of healthcare plans (from very limited to comprehensive) for a range of rates.  These plans always require yearly dues paid to the membership organization.  These dues come with a variety of added benefits such as legal services, promotional tools, and advocacy updates.  [top]

The Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of services for small businesses including group insurance plans.  Health insurance through the Chamber is not necessarily less expensive than obtaining insurance directly from Blue Cross.  However, the plans group together members as though they were in an employee health plan and the Chamber serves as a group administrator and advocate for its members when medical issues arise.   The Chamber issues health insurance through a broker - The New England Benefits Company (NEBCo). To receive a sample quote for health insurance through the Chamber of Commerce, contact Charles Herald at NEBCo: 734-4141.  He will ask some questions about your personal health profile and return a quote to you within 1-2 business days.  Membership to the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce costs are as follows at a yearly rate: 1-5 employees $295, 11-20 employees $475, 6-10 employees $350,  21-25 employees $600.  The Chamber offers additional benefits for membership including networking opportunities, business assistance, and discounted workers’ compensation insurance.  To find out if Chamber of Commerce membership and healthcare programs are right for you and your business, contact them at 401-732-1100.  [top]

Fractured Atlas

Fractured Atlas is a membership organization for artists, which currently boasts a membership of almost 1,600 nationwide.  Of those members, nearly 300 receive health insurance through the organization.  Healthcare through Fractured Atlas allows members greater flexibility in plans than individuals can expect directly from insurance companies (there are more inexpensive options for more limited services).  Fractured Atlas also acts as an advocate for members when health issues arise.  As an artists’ service organization, they are committed to the health and well being of artists and they have successfully advocated for major reductions in healthcare costs and additional medical services for members.

Membership in Fractured Atlas is $75 per year.  Monthly insurance rates are in addition to that yearly fee.  Fractured Atlas provides additional benefits such as legal services, rehearsal space in New York, and grant opportunities.  Go to www.fracturedatlas.org or call (917) 606-0857 to learn more. [top]

National Association for the Self-Employed

NASE offers services and benefits to businesses that support no more than 10 employees.  This non-profit organization provides support and advocacy for small businesses in order to help them compete with larger corporations.  Membership in the National Association of the Self Employed is $96 per year for basic membership (which includes a long list of perks and programs) or $420 per year (which includes a longer list of perks and programs).  Membership in NASE provides access to healthcare coverage through the MegaLife Insurance Company (the same company that Fractured Atlas provides coverage through). To find out more about membership in and healthcare through NASE, call 1-800-232-6273 (7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CST) By Mail: P.O. Box 612067 DFW Airport
Dallas, TX 75261-2067 [top]

Small Business Service Bureau

Not set up to provide health insurance in Rhode Island.

Health Care Advocacy

There are a number of strategies for helping individuals to finance their health care.  For example, viable groups should be able to come together to form their own group plan.  Regulations would need to change, however, to reflect the kinds of groups of individuals who would benefit from this structure.  Tax refunds could be offered for insurance payments [top]

Ocean State Action:

Health Care Reform Act:

Ocean State Action is a coalition advocacy group that counts healthcare among it most significant ongoing advocacy campaigns.  In 2004 OSA lobbied hard for changes to the Health Care Reform Act.  This set of five bills seeks to create a Health Insurance Commissioner; provide new standards of operation for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and set up the continuation of the health care reform work being done by the Joint Committee on Health Care Oversight.   They are pressing for the regulation of insurance companies on behalf of health care consumers and purchasers and they are working towards the long term goal of single payer health care in Rhode Island. To find out more about Ocean State Action’s healthcare advocacy, contact Marti Rosenberg at 401-463-5368 [top]

Other Resources:

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) is a regulatory agency that monitors businesses and professions with a specific department dedicated to Insurance.  Rhode Island Insurance Department is located at 233 Richmond St., Suite 233, Providence, RI 02903-4233.  Their contact phone number is (401) 222-2223 or go to www.dbr.state.ri.us/insurance  Contact them with questions or complaints regarding your insurance carriers.

Rhode Island Health Department is a regulatory agency that oversees the quality of managed care health plans.  They are the people you go to if you have complaints about your health care agencies.  They are located at 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908 and can be reached at (401) 222-2231 and TTY (800) 745-5555

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services administers the state Medicaid program. Contact them at 401-462-5300 or www.dhs.state.ri.us/ [top]

Rx4RI

Rx4RI is a statewide program that connects qualified, low-income people with discount prescription drugs, direct from the pharmaceutical manufacturer – basically, they get free medication for people who cannot afford it.  There are income and eligibility guidelines and you have to have a doctor.   Check out the website www.RX4ri.org for more information. [top]

BenefitsCheckUp

BenefitsCheckUp locates programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Go to www.benefitscheckup.org for more information [top]

Healing Environments

Healing Environments is an organization based in Palo Alto, CA whose mission is to aid the current movement toward holistic medicine. www.healingenvironments.org [top]