To continue to meet projected costs for existing participants and those attaining eligibility, the Trustees have approved an increase in the quarterly premium for individual medical and prescription drug plan coverage. For quarterly coverage beginning or continuing August 1, the individual premium will increase to $300 every three months. Premiums for dependent coverage will not increase.
Why is this change necessary now?
The premium you pay, currently $100 every three months, represents only a fraction of the total cost of your coverage—currently about $3,000 per quarter. As health care costs in the U.S. have continued to spiral upward at a rate that far outpaces all other expenses, the Fund has absorbed these increases for the past 13 years without raising premiums. The current shutdown has made it impossible for the Fund to continue to do so.
Increasing costs, when many members have limited or no income, is a difficult choice. However, with this change, the Equity-League Health Fund will be able to continue to offer coverage to the most members for the longest period of time at premiums similar to those paid by members of other entertainment unions. What’s more, this allows the Fund to offer the Cigna Silver plan.
Additional resources are available to you
Join the Entertainment Community Fund for Every Artist Insured! Getting & Keeping Affordable Coverage During COVID-19. This weekly webinar provides clear, step-by-step guidance to the health insurance options currently available to you.