Orlando Harmon
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is an American union for professional film and television actors. It offers its members a range of benefits, including access to health insurance. In 2020, the union faced criticism from members after raising the eligibility criteria for health insurance, resulting in some members no longer qualifying. However, SAG-AFTRA members are eligible for deals on medical visits, prescriptions, and insurance, among other benefits. Additionally, the union's Entertainment Community Fund provides services in areas such as affordable housing, health insurance information, and social services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Health Plan insurance? | Active, paid-up SAG-AFTRA members |
| What are the eligibility requirements? | Earning above $25,950 a year |
| What are the benefits of the insurance? | Deals on entertainment, car rentals, insurance, medical visits, prescriptions, real estate, legal services and more |
| Are there any other benefits? | Seminars and workshops on acting, taxes, parenting young performers, etc. |
| What about mortgage benefits? | Competitive-rate mortgages for home purchase or refinancing with peace of mind options, family benefits, personal service, and variety |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria for medical insurance
To qualify for medical insurance from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Health Plan (SAG-AFTRA Health Insurance), members must meet specific eligibility criteria. This insurance plan caters to professional film and television actors and offers a range of services, including medical, surgical, mental health, life insurance, maternity care, and dental and vision services.
The eligibility criteria for SAG-AFTRA Health Insurance are based on "Earned Eligibility," which takes into consideration an individual's occupation and earnings. Firstly, eligibility varies depending on the specific type of work performed under relevant contracts. For instance, an individual may qualify if they can provide proof of SAG-AFTRA, SAG, or AFTRA covered employment as a principal performer or recording artist. Alternatively, they may qualify with proof of three days of employment as a background actor under the same unions or employment under an affiliated performers' union.
Secondly, eligibility is also determined by earnings through a contributing employer during a set period. As of 2020, the minimum annual earnings requirement to qualify for SAG-AFTRA Health Insurance was $25,950. This change was implemented to address financial deficits, although it has resulted in some members no longer being eligible for health insurance. The cost of this insurance can be prohibitive, especially for those earning less than $50,000 annually, with monthly premiums ranging from $125 to $250, or up to $2501 following unemployment.
It's important to note that membership in SAG-AFTRA comes with certain commitments and rules that must be adhered to, and it is a significant step for any working actor, broadcaster, or recording artist. While the eligibility criteria for SAG-AFTRA Health Insurance are somewhat complex, the insurance plan provides valuable coverage for those in the film and television industry who meet the requirements.
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Premium costs
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Health Plan covers a wide range of services, including medical, surgical, mental health, life and AD&D insurance, maternity care, hearing aids, therapy, and dental and vision services.
In 2020, the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan faced criticism from its members due to changes in health insurance. The plan announced that it would tighten eligibility requirements and raise premiums to address financial deficits. This resulted in a petition opposing the changes, which was signed by over 8,500 members. The specific changes included raising the eligibility floor from those earning $18,040 annually to $25,950.
The premium costs for SAG-AFTRA health insurance vary depending on the number of dependents. As of 2020, the premium costs for union members with two or more dependents were $348 per quarter, but these costs were expected to more than double to $747 per quarter due to the aforementioned changes.
It is important to note that the cost of health insurance can be prohibitive for those earning less than $50,000 annually, and many actors have expressed concern about affording insurance, especially during the pandemic when film jobs were scarce. According to screenwriter and actor Rick Overton, 95% of SAG-AFTRA members earn less than $25,000 per year.
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Health insurance alternatives
While SAG-AFTRA does not directly offer health insurance, its members are eligible for deals on medical visits, prescriptions, and insurance. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Entertainment Community Fund also provides services in the area of health insurance information.
There are several alternatives to traditional health insurance. Here are some options:
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)
Account-based health plans like HRAs are more affordable alternatives to traditional group health insurance plans, especially for small businesses. With an HRA, employers can reimburse employees for over 200 qualifying healthcare costs, including health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses. This allows businesses to provide health benefits without the high costs of traditional insurance plans.
Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA)
ICHRA is a type of HRA with fewer restrictions. It allows employers of any size to offer different allowance amounts based on up to 11 employee classes, with no maximum contribution limits. However, employees must have a qualifying individual health insurance policy to participate.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
An HSA can help you save money on your health insurance costs.
Indemnity Insurance
Indemnity insurance helps offset some costs of medical care. For example, if you go to the doctor four times a year, indemnity insurance will give you a set amount for each visit. While you still pay out-of-pocket, indemnity insurance provides some financial assistance.
Cost-Sharing Programs
These programs are not technically insurance but are considered nonprofits. People in these programs pool their money, and it is distributed to those in need. You pay a preset monthly contribution that covers the medical bills of other members. This can be a great way to help manage the costs of expensive medical procedures or surgeries.
Self-Insured
If you have a high net worth and are in good health, you may be able to pay your medical expenses yourself, essentially becoming self-insured.
The best health insurance alternative depends on your specific situation, budget, and needs. It is always recommended to have some form of health insurance or alternative coverage to protect yourself and your family.
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Industry partnerships
SAG-AFTRA has formed a host of industry partnerships, which open the door to great opportunities for its members. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Casting Access program, for example, provides free audition preparation workshops with prominent casting professionals in Los Angeles. The foundation is an educational, humanitarian, and philanthropic non-profit organisation that serves members of SAG-AFTRA, their families, and the greater community.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation also offers a variety of workshops taught by industry professionals who assess and enhance members' skills as actors. These include cold reading and scene showcases with working casting directors. Additionally, the foundation's Life Raft program offers seminars on topics such as commercials, agent panels, preparing an actor's taxes, and developing one's own project.
SAG-AFTRA members are automatically eligible for services offered by the Entertainment Community Fund, a national nonprofit human service organisation. The Entertainment Community Fund provides services to all entertainment professionals in four areas: affordable housing, sideline work, health insurance information, and social services and emergency grants.
SAG-AFTRA members are also eligible for outstanding deals on entertainment, car rentals, insurance, medical visits, prescriptions, real estate, and legal services. For instance, they can access competitive-rate mortgages for home purchases or refinancing and savings on real estate agent services.
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Emergency grants
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was an American labour union that represented over 100,000 film and television performers worldwide. In 2012, the Screen Actors Guild merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) to create SAG-AFTRA.
SAG-AFTRA offers health insurance to its members. However, I could not find specific information about emergency grants provided by the Screen Actors Guild or SAG-AFTRA.
There are, however, several other organisations that provide emergency grants to artists, which may include members of the Screen Actors Guild. These include:
- The Dramatists Guild Foundation, which awards emergency grants to playwrights, lyricists, and composers facing unexpected illness or extreme hardship.
- The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), which assists those working in theatre, film, television, radio, music, dance, opera, and circus with emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care, and insurance counselling.
- The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund (MPPAF), which serves members of the motion picture entertainment industry facing illness, injury, or life-changing events. MPPAF provides temporary financial aid and social service counselling.
- The Broadcasters’ Foundation of America, which provides emergency grants to radio and television broadcasters who lack insurance to cover losses from natural disasters or other serious misfortunes.
- The Directors Guild Foundation, which provides no-interest loans to Guild members.
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Frequently asked questions
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Health Plan is a health insurance plan offered to members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The plan provides health insurance benefits to professional film and television actors in the United States.
The Screen Actors Guild medical insurance covers a range of services, including medical visits, prescriptions, and emergency grants.
Only active, paid-up members of SAG-AFTRA are eligible for the Screen Actors Guild medical insurance. In 2020, the minimum annual earnings required to qualify for the insurance was increased from $18,040 to $25,950.
