R.I. Government Agencies | Privacy Policy |
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 has been aptly described by the New York based advocacy group “Working Today” (now the Freelancers Union http://www.freelancersunion.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.”
In Rhode Island, options for insurance providers are limited to one major carrier and 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 home to a large number of self-employed entrepreneurs and non-profit workers, including many artists, who cannot afford basic insurance premiums. Over 100,000 people are uninsured in Rhode Island. Artists, who are often self-employed, non-profit, or contracted workers, are disproportionately underinsured compared to other individuals and professionals.
RISCA has compiled the information on this site as a resource for Rhode Island artists to learn more about their healthcare options. This page contains information about health insurance and healthcare resources that are currently available to Rhode Island artists. It also includes information on state and local healthcare advocacy. The descriptions of each resource below come from websites and communication with staff members of health service and advocacy organizations. RISCA’s healthcare webpage is intended only to provide basic information to assist individuals who are researching healthcare options. RISCA does not promote or recommend any specific healthcare or health insurance providers or plans.
Resources
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
In 2004, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation establishing the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC). The OHIC is the first state agency dedicated solely to health insurance oversight.
The website of the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner is probably the best resource available on health insurance options and healthcare information in Rhode Island. We highly recommend that you go to: www.ohic.ri.gov
Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH)
The primary mission of the Rhode Island Department of Health is to prevent disease and to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island. It is a regulatory agency and also manages programs such as WIC (a nutrition program that provides food and health services to children and mothers). Visit the Department of Health website at: http://www.health.ri.gov/
A complete list of DOH programs can be found at: http://www.health.ri.gov/programs.php
The DOH is located at 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908 and can be reached at (401) 222-5960 and TTY: 711
Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS)
DHS programs include comprehensive health insurance for children up to age 19, certain families and pregnant women, food stamp benefits to help families provide nutritional meals, and child care subsidies to thousands of working families struggling with the cost of child care, as well as access and availability issues. DHS administers the state Medicaid program. Contact them at 401-462-5300 or www.dhs.ri.gov
Rhode Island Health Center Association
The Rhode Island Health Center Association's mission is to strengthen access through the membership to high quality, community-based, comprehensive health care for all Rhode Islanders. They serve as a liaison between health centers and public and private social service agencies including the US Public Health Services, Rhode Island Departments of Health and Human Services, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, the United Way, the Rhode Island Medical Society, and community groups working to improve services for low and moderate income families.
http://www.rihca.org/
HealthAccessRI
HealthAccessRI is an association of primary care doctors and medical practices throughout Rhode Island. HealthAccessRI participating practices charge a monthly membership fee, usually $25 or $30 per month. Members then receive complete office based primary care services at very low cost for each visit, usually just $5 or $10. Many practices also offer discounts for multiple family members and also for automatic monthly credit card payments. Complete primary care includes complete physical exams, well child care, routine women's care, same day sick visits, management of chronic medical conditions, immunizations, office based procedures, and 24/7 access to an on call physician for emergencies after hours.
Each HealthAccessRI practice operates their own program and sets their own prices. For more information go to: http://www.healthaccessri.com/
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. Income and eligibility guidelines apply, including the requirement of a primary doctor. Go to www.RX4ri.org for more information.
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.
Clinical Care for the uninsured:
The Rhode Island Free Clinic
The Rhode Island Free Clinic offers high-quality medical care and preventative health services to individuals who do not have health insurance and 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. There are many services offered at the agency including the uninsured artists' clinic. The RI Free Clinic is a non-profit organization run by volunteers, and is regulated and licensed in the same manner as hospitals and other medical institutions, ensuring a high quality of care. It is the only clinic of its kind in the state. Dr. Bruce Becker of Rhode Island Hospital was the leading force behind the creation of the Artists' Clinic, which was initiated in 2004. Uninsured Rhode Islanders who wish to become new patients enter through the clinic lottery system. On the first Thursday of each month, those who wish to become patients of the clinic, come to the facility and enter the "lottery". Names are drawn and those drawn come up to clinic for an appointment that night. The RI Free Clinic is hopeful that the lottery will be no longer necessary by the end of 2009 as the organization has expanded to include many more physicians and practitioners. The remaining patients are placed on a waiting list and are put into the schedule throughout the month or into the agencies new "network". The Network is a group of physicians in the community who have offered to see patients in their offices free of charge and have helped the agency expand beyond the walls of the Broad St building. Services at the clinic include primary care and preventative health care, including physical examinations and follow-up, disease management through follow-up visits, medication and health education and facilitated referrals to specialty health clinics. The RIFC schedules Artist Walk-In Days once a month on
the first Tuesday of each month from 1 to 2 pm. Artists do not need to access services through the lottery system. To ask any questions, call 401-274-6347. 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. http://www.rifreeclinic.org/
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
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 (i.e. direct pay). Blue Cross & Blue Shield offers HealthMate Coast-to-Coast Direct, Healthmate for HAS Direct, and Dental Direct. Each of these plans provides specific kinds of coverage for specific medical situations 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. 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. 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
Medicaid is federal- and state-funded health care program for individuals and families with limited income, the elderly and disabled. The RI Department of Human Services administers the Medicaid Program in Rhode Island. Rhode Island's Medicaid programs include: RIte Care, RIte Share, RIte Smiles, Rhody Health Partners, Connect Care Choice, and traditional Medicaid fee-for-service.
RIte Care provides comprehensive health care through three participating health plans: Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, United Healthcare of New England or Blue CHiP. Families or children whose income is over a certain amount pay a monthly premium for coverage. RIte Share is a Premium Assistance Program that helps low income families who have health insurance through their employer pay all or part of their premium costs for health insurance.
Eligibility for RIte Care and RIte Share is for: families with children under age 18, pregnant women, and children up to age 19. Single adults are not eligible. In some cases, individuals who have large medical expenses may qualify for Medicaid through the “flex test” which means that the cost of their medical bills, which occurred in certain months, may be deducted against their countable income for that month, therefore, enabling them to qualify.
For more information on who’s eligible, income eligibility using the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines, how to apply, and premium costs, please check the RI Department of Human Services (DHS) website at www.dhs.ri.gov or call the DHS Info Line at (401) 462-5300, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
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
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. Dues come with a variety of added benefits such as legal services, promotional tools, and advocacy updates. If membership organizations offer direct-pay health insurance plans through providers other than Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, you should contact the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner and/or Rhode Island Department of Health for information on that provider.
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, Chamber 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 their health insurance packages through a broker - The New England Benefits Company (NEBCo). To find out if Chamber of Commerce membership and healthcare programs are right for you and your business, contact them at (401) 732-1107 or go to http://www.centralrichamber.com/benefits.htm
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 NASE provides access to healthcare coverage through the Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee. 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 http://www.nase.org/
Small Business Service Bureau Not set up to provide health insurance in Rhode Island.
Health Care Advocacy
Ocean State Action created the Health Care Organizing Project (HCOP), a coalition of twenty-seven consumer, health-care provider, labor and advocacy organizations fighting for access to high quality, affordable health care. the Health Care Organizing Project (HCOP) builds connections and relationships between organizations, finds new allies and promotes a stronger vision for health care in Rhode Island. Our organizations represent all people affected by the health care system: families, businesses, patients, workers and providers. For more information go to http://www.oceanstateaction.org
HINT: The Health Insurance Navigation Tool
"The goal of this project is to provide informed, musician-friendly support and advice to curious musicians who need information about health insurance, for free."
http://www.futureofmusic.org/hint/index.cfm
Plan for a Healthy America - Barack Obama and Joe Biden's Plan
The Obama-Biden plan provides affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan. Under the Obama-Biden plan, patients will be able to make health care decisions with their doctors, instead of being blocked by insurance company bureaucrats. Under the plan, if you like your current health insurance, nothing changes, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year. If you don’t have health insurance, you will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance options.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/
Updated as of July 18, 2004