AEA Health Insurance

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 10:25am

Often, when discussing "why did X take this role?" the response mentions that bottom-line, they've got to work to keep their insurance coverage.
 

On an equity contract, how many weeks/months a year must an actor work to get health insurance coverage?  Is this the same for all tiers? (Bway, non-profit, regional, tours). And, finally, if they hit a dry stretch one year, can they purchase it at the union's cost via COBRA?

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 11:45am

To qualify for insurance for 6 months, you have to work a minimum of 11 weeks in a 12 month "accumulation period"--this period is 12 consecutive months, regardless of when it began. If you accumulate 19 weeks or more of work under an AEA contract, you qualify for a year of coverage.  If you qualify, there's a 2 month waiting period before coverage kicks in.

Actor's have the ability to buy COBRA coverage after their earned coverage runs out, but like all COBRA coverage, it's incredibly expensive--over $900 a month, I believe.

The ACA helped A LOT of actors qualify for affordable insurance.