Artist Trust is committed to supporting artists on all issues important to their careers, including health resources. The issue of medical expense and health insurance is a formidable one. Currently there is no singular resolution to this complex issue. Artist Trust is addressing the issue of health insurance for artists through the distribution of information and through the development of an ambitious new program called the Washington Artists Health Insurance Project (WAHIP).

Following is information we have put together as a guide to health-related services for artists of Washington State. We hope you will find this information beneficial in your search for health insurance and health care resources. 

For a printable 2-page quick-guide to health resources for Washington State artists produced by Artist Trust, click here.

NEW! How to Access Health Care in Washington-A Practical Guide for Artists
Click above for this handy guide compiled by The Health Insurance Resource Center (www.ahirc.org) and Washington Artists Health Insurance Project (WAHIP) an initiative led by Artist Trust.

For a comprehensive Glossary of Insurance Terms provided by the Washington State Insurance Commissioners Office (PDF), click here.

Getting Health Insurance:

The Foundation for Health Coverage Education produces the Health Care Options Matrix pamphlet which helps you identify key elements in finding health insurance coverage including determining your Federal Poverty Level (FPL)* position and Health Plans you may be eligible for based on that position. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education site offers the above pamphlet as well as their online "Eligibility Tool" to help you identify healthcare resource options.

Benefits Checkup is offered through The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner and State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA). SHIBA’s online tool is comprehensive and delivers results that include resources for prescription drug coverage. The Benefits Checkup online questionnaire is thorough and requires you to enter specific information on your income. The results are produced in a printable format for easy reference.

SHIBA also offers telephone assistance at 1/800/562-6900 or email assistance at jenniferg@oic.wa.gov to all Washington State residents. Be sure to provide your name, contact information and concerns you would like to discuss with a helpline volunteer when emailing. An appointment will be set up for you for either a face-to-face meeting or telephone consultation. Be aware that SHIBA places a focus on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security recipients and Senior, disabled and low-income residents. If you do not fall into one of these categories you will still get assistance with finding services, getting answers or resolving grievances.

Basic Health is a state-sponsored program that provides affordable health care coverage through private health plans for eligible residents of Washington State. Basic Health has a mandated enrollment capacity and currently (December 2007) is accepting applications. See if you are eligible and Apply Online Now!

Medicaid is available to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to your health care providers. You may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services.

Medicare is a health insurance program administered by the United States Government, covering people who are either age 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria. If you are 65 or older you are likely to qualify for Medicare coverage.

Evergreen Health Insurance Program can pay medical insurance premiums for eligible Washington State residents living with HIV-AIDS enabling them to maintain access to vital health care. To be eligible you must first enroll in Washington State Deparment of Health's HIV Client Services. 

Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) may provide you coverage if you have been denied private individual coverage due to a chronic condition(s) or because you have had a serious illness such as cancer, stroke or heart disease in the past ten years. You are guaranteed acceptance to a WSHIP plan, but it is more expensive than individual plans. To apply to WSHIP, you must have the letter stating that you were denied a private plan.

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner's website is an excellent resource for Washington State residents. This site offers information and downloadable informational pamphlets. Here is a sample of the pamphlets available through this site:

A Consumers Guide to Health Coverage

Shopping for Individual Health Coverage

Dental Coverage

As well as providing information on obtaining healthcare benefits, the site also offers information for those that may have health insurance and need assistance with a grievance or want to know about their rights as consumers or patients.

Actor's Fund of America offers Access to Health Insurance/Resources for Care. This site offers a comprehensive database of health and social service resources for Washington State residents. 

Artist Trust’s website offers a Health Resources section under Information Services that provides listings of institutions both local and national that provide health insurance and/or health related services, information and advocacy.

Finding Health Care:

Emergency Services:

In any medical emergency always dial 911. If you are not sure if you should call, go ahead and call and let them evaluate your situation.

Identify and have ready directions to your nearest hospital emergency room. Remember that sometimes hospital bills can be negotiated. Ask for a hospital representative that can discuss options for payment.

If you find yourself in emotional crisis call the Crisis Clinic at 1-866-427-4747. Their trained staff will provide you immediate and confidential assistance 24 hours a day.

Washington Association of Community Health Centers. These health centers provide both medical and dental services. Their website provides maps to the health centers and describes which centers provide which services. The health centers can provide you with care regardless of your ability to pay. It is good to call ahead and learn the policies of individual centers to help expedite your receiving medical attention.

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health care. Their health care professionals are dedicated to offering men, women, and teens medical care and affordable products.

Retainer Care Practices are a model of care where physicians charge a predetermined fee to patients for all primary care services provided in their offices, regardless of the number of visits. These practices are structured as membership programs with patients paying a monthly or annual membership fee for services and amenities, with some practices focusing on affordability. As important to understanding what retainer medicine practices are, it is equally important to understand what they are not. Retainer practices are not the kind of comprehensive package we normally think of as "insurance." They offer coverage for primary care services only and are offered by the doctor or medical clinic, not by an insurance company or health plan.

(To read more information on Retainer Care, written by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, click here.)

Qliance is a medical practice that operates under the retainer care model. While Artist Trust does not endorse Qliance, or any other specific products or services available in the marketplace, we encourage you to investigate this new option to see how it may meet your healthcare needs.

Insurance brokerage firms can assist you in locating insurance options. While Artist Trust does not endorse any specific products or services we are currently suggesting Kibble & Prentice to help you locate an insurance product suitable to your particular needs and budget.

Washington Health Foundation offers a direct service program that assists families and individuals in finding appropriate health care regardless of ability to pay.

The Washington State Health Care Authority offers the Washington Prescription Drug Program. It is open to all Washington State residents who do not have prescription drug insurance coverage, or whose insurance does not cover all their prescription drug needs. There are no other eligibility requirements or fees required for membership in the WPDP. Sign up now!

Affording Health Care:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determines "Federal Poverty Level" guidelines which serve as one of the indicators for determining eligibility in a wide variety of Federal and State programs. Your FPL is determined by your gross monthly income which is your income before taxes and deductions. Determining your gross monthly income can help you identify if you qualify for Federal and State programs. See more on these guidelines below.

Pharmacy Checker helps consumers continually find the lowest priced products from the most qualified and reputable online pharmacies. PC also provides customized reports and services as market intelligence about the online pharmacy industry. PC publishes pharmacy ratings, profiles, and drug price comparisons online.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program's website provides an online tool that can help you find prescription drug assistance programs for which you may qualify.

Reforming Health Care:

Northwest Federation of Community Organizations is a national federation of grassroot organizations that exist to advance a progressive national agenda by executing regional and national campaigns for economic, racial and social equity. NWFCO believes that states are experiencing the breakdown of their private health insurance systems, threatening residents' physical and financial wellbeing. Learn about options states have for restoring accountability, transparency, and integrity to their health insurance systems.

The Washington Community Action Network or Washington CAN works to expose and eventually overcome the systemic inequity individuals experience in gaining access to quality health care in this country. Washington CAN is part of the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations.

Northwest Health Law Advocates is a non-profit organization that promotes increased access to health care and basic health care rights and protections for all individuals through legal and policy advocacy, education and support to community organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

Artist Trust and Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) are working together in an ambitious effort to forge new strategies to improve artists’ access to health insurance in Washington State. The project, called the Washington Artists Health Insurance Project (WAHIP), will serve as a model for development of state-based health insurance expansion and will benefit artists working in all disciplines.

If you have any questions regarding the information on this page or information on any of the resources listed on our website please contact miguel@artisttrust.org or miguel at 206/467-8734 ext. 11 or 1/866/218-7878 ext. 11.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues new Federal Poverty Guidelines every year, usually in February or March. These guidelines are commonly referred to as the "Federal Poverty Level" (FPL), and serve as one of the indicators for determining eligibility in a wide variety of Federal and State programs.

Current Guidelines:

2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia:

For family units with more than 8 members, add $3480 for each member.

Example using 2007 guidelines: If your monthly income is less than $1,701.75 for one person, $2,281.78 for a family of two, $2,861.80 for a family of three, or more for a larger family, you may qualify for Basic Health.