Health Insurance for Independent Entertainers
For actors, musicians and comedians, missing a gig due to illness means missing out on income—secure your health and your livelihood.
Health Insurance Options for Performers, Artists, and Creators
Performers, artists, and creators have various options for securing health insurance:
Private health insurance marketplaces, such as Smart and Simple Insurance, provide additional options beyond the government exchange. Including: Short-term Medical, Accident-Only Coverage, Vision, Dental and other wellness products.
Free Health Insurance Consult
Need help finding the best plan in your price range? Call one of our insurance consultants for a no-cost review.
ACA Plans or Flexible Private Coverage for the Entertainment Industry
Entertainers, such as performers, actors, musicians, and other creative professionals, play a vital role in inspiring and connecting communities. Your health is essential to sustaining your craft and continuing to impact audiences. This guide is here to help you explore affordable health coverage options tailored for professionals in the entertainment industry. Don’t delay—your health and livelihood are too important to wait.
You have two primary options for health insurance: ACA-certified plans or private health marketplaces. Government marketplaces, like HealthCare.gov, provide ACA plans that offer essential benefits and protections for pre-existing conditions. Alternatively, private marketplaces offer greater flexibility with a variety of options, including major medical insurance, dental and vision coverage, short-term plans, and supplemental insurance.
Carefully comparing these options will help you find a plan that meets your budget and coverage needs. Both government and private marketplaces provide resources to assist you in navigating the process. Securing health insurance protects you against unexpected medical expenses and ensures you can continue pursuing your passion without interruption.
Enroll Online
We believe getting health insurance should be easy and not the worst part of your day. Using the online enrollment center is quick and easy with a few keystrokes.
Get Health Insurance
Entertainment Industry Professionals
1-855-826-0030
When Can Entertainers Enroll in New Health Insurance?
Open Enrollment for ACA Plans
Performers, actors, musicians, and other entertainment professionals can secure ACA-certified health insurance during the federal open enrollment period, which runs from November 1 to January 15 each year. This is your opportunity to update or switch your health coverage without needing a qualifying life event, like losing previous insurance or changing jobs. During open enrollment, you can explore ACA-compliant plans that provide essential health benefits, cover pre-existing conditions, and include caps on out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copays.
These plans offer robust coverage similar to employer-sponsored insurance and are available through government marketplaces like HealthCare.gov or private platforms like Smart and Simple Insurance, which may provide additional resources and support.
Short-Term Health Insurance for Immediate Needs
For entertainers who are healthy and need fast, temporary coverage, short-term health insurance is a flexible option. These plans are available year-round and can bridge gaps in coverage, especially for those between gigs or just starting in the industry. However, short-term plans are not ACA-compliant, meaning they may not cover pre-existing conditions or include the same level of benefits as traditional plans.
While these policies are more limited, they can still help you manage unexpected medical expenses while keeping costs down, making them a practical choice for professionals in transitional periods or looking for quick solutions.
Government-Sponsored Options: Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare
Depending on your income and family situation, you might qualify for government programs like Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These options offer low-cost or no-cost health insurance to eligible individuals and families, covering a broad range of needs.
For entertainers approaching retirement age, Medicare becomes available at 65. If you’re not yet receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll need to enroll directly. Securing reliable health coverage is a crucial step to protect your well-being and sustain your career in the entertainment industry.
Traditional Health Insurance
“Major Medical” is traditional health insurance like a group-health plan that is available to W-2 employees. Meets the Affordable Care Act standards of coverage.
Traditional Health Insurance covers pre-existing conditions.
Short-Term Medical Insurance
Sometimes referred to as “gap insurance”, a short-term medical plan is health insurance that covers new illnesses and injuries.
As it is term insurance, you may cancel at anytime.
Vision Insurance
See the difference a vision plan can have on your health and your wallet! In these times, a vision plan can help save you money on exams, lenses, frames and more!
Telehealth
Accident Supplemental Insurance
Benefits can be used to pay for emergency treatment, medical transportation and lodging. Use the money for whatever you need, like mortgage payments, credit card payments, car payments, daycare or business costs.
Identity Theft Protection
Simple Term Life Insurance
The most selfless thing you can do for your loved ones in case of a future without you. Your rate is guaranteed for a 5-year term period. You can keep your policy until you decide you do not need it.
Cancel any time.
Yes, you’re accepted! No Medical Questions or Exam. Quick and simple with guaranteed acceptance.
Get Health Insurance
Entertainment Industry Professionals
1-855-826-0030
Frequently Asked Questions
When can entertainers enroll in new health insurance?
Entertainers, including performers, actors, and musicians, can enroll in qualified health plans during the federal open enrollment period. This annual window allows you to update or change your health insurance without requiring a qualifying life event, such as losing coverage or changing jobs.
What types of plans are available on the health insurance marketplace?
The health insurance marketplace offers ACA-compliant plans that provide essential health benefits, pre-existing condition protections, and caps on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments. These plans offer comprehensive coverage similar to employer-sponsored insurance, tailored for a variety of needs.
Can entertainers enroll in short-term health insurance?
Yes, entertainers can enroll in short-term health insurance plans at any time during the year. These plans are a cost-effective option for temporary coverage but may not offer the same level of benefits as ACA-compliant plans and often exclude pre-existing conditions.
What are Medicaid and CHIP, and do entertainers qualify?
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide affordable or no-cost health insurance to individuals and families based on income. Entertainers may qualify if they meet income requirements. Medicaid also covers children, pregnant individuals, and people with disabilities.
What is Medicare, and how can entertainers access it?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program available to individuals aged 65 and older. Entertainers nearing retirement age who are not yet receiving Social Security benefits will need to sign up for Medicare directly to ensure they have the coverage they need.
Get Health Insurance
Entertainment Industry Professionals
1-855-826-0030
