Covered California offers subsidized Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans by brand name insurers with subsidies of up to 100% depending on annual income and household size. Help with Health Insurance (HHI) is a personal service that connects art workers with an expert counselor who can provide free, confidential help with Covered California — from choosing a health insurance plan that accommodates your needs and budget to advice on the administrative process, eligibility, and benefits. Counselors work exclusively with the arts and entertainment industry and are aware of the unique needs of our community.

The language of healthcare can be unclear and intimidating. We use this service ourselves and have found it extremely helpful. HHI offers help with any questions you may have, from the most basic to the most complex. If navigators are unable to assist you, they will guide you to the most appropriate place to get the answers you need.

Register for this free, confidential service here.

FAQ 

How do I sign up for this help with navigating Covered CA? 

• Register with ECF at this link and follow the on-line prompts. 

Are there any costs for the service? 

• No. The service is entirely free. 

What can the healthcare navigator help me with? 

• Healthcare navigators are able to advise on Covered California plans and help you select the right plan for your needs, as well as advice on coverage and related questions on an ongoing basis. 

• The point of the service is to provide guidance for your specific needs and situation. When you sign up, you’ll be paired with a healthcare navigator. After an initial consultation, you’ll continue to have access to the same healthcare navigator via email and phone so that you can get in touch with future questions.. 

Do I have to reveal my personal medical or financial information? 

• No. You can reveal as much or as little as you are comfortable sharing. Depending on your individual needs, providing more background information and context may help your healthcare navigator advise you.

• The service is confidential, and you do not have to provide your social security number or any medical records.

How are you able to provide this for free? 

• This service is available through CAL’s partnership with Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), which has provided their members with this resource developed to meet the unique needs of arts and entertainment workers. Through our partnership, ECF has agreed to extend access to this service to all California art workers who register through CAL. (Instructions to sign up are below.)

Who is eligible? 

• The service is available to any California-based arts workers using Covered California. If you self-identify as an art worker, you are eligible to sign up for Help with Health Insurance. 

• We define art workers broadly as anyone working (whether compensated or not) in creative communities and/or the creative economies. 

Do I have to be a member of CAL or any other groups to use the service?

• No. CAL does not currently have membership requirements. If you self-identify as an art worker and are interested in CAL’s mission, you are welcome to call yourself a member of CAL. As we grow, our membership eligibility, requirements, resources, and benefits will evolve. 

Are services available in languages other than English? 

• Currently, this service is only available in English. 

Is there a deadline to sign up? 

• If you already have a healthcare plan through Covered California, you can register for Help with Health Insurance at any time. 

• If you’re not yet enrolled in Covered California, the next open enrollment period ends on January 31, 2024. If you register for the Help with Health Insurance program during the open enrollment window, a healthcare navigator can provide guidance on which plan you should choose.