Health Insurance HQ: An Update on the Health Care Landscape | Entertainment Community Fund

Health Insurance HQ: An Update on the Health Care Landscape

Welcome to Health Insurance HQ—coming to you from the experts at The Actors Fund's Artists Health Insurance Resource Center and special guests!

Dear Friends,

Going on vacation? Working out of the country? What happens if you get sick? Will your health insurance cover you? Should you buy travel medical insurance?
Let’s first look at the basics.

What is travel medical Insurance?
It’s insurance that can be purchased as part of a comprehensive travel insurance package or as a stand-alone plan when traveling outside the country. Comprehensive travel insurance packages can be customized to cover you for:

  • Trip cancellation due to illness, injury, weather, work and more.
  • Coverage for lost, stolen or destroyed baggage.
  • Medical and dental expenses due to emergency illnesses and injuries.
  • Trip interruptions and flight delays that may cause additional airfare and lodging expenses.

Travel medical insurance as a stand-alone product focuses on unforeseen emergency medical care. If you become ill while in a different country, need emergency dental care or have an accident, it can cover some or all of those costs.

Before purchasing travel insurance, contact your current health insurance company to find out if you are covered for emergencies outside of the United States. Some policies do cover emergency medical care.

How much does travel medical insurance cost?
It ranges in price based on the length of the trip, type of trip, destination, when the trip is occurring and the age of the traveler(s). For example, medical insurance for a one-week trip to a European country in the summer can cost between $20-$40. Traveling to countries considered unsafe, or traveling to more than one country, increases the cost. Choosing a plan with a deductible will make your premiums cheaper. Travel medical plans include a dollar limit on how much they will pay for medical services. Choosing a lower or higher limit also changes the price.
Check the plans to see what exclusions are associated with them. You may not be covered for activities that are considered risky, such as mountain climbing, scuba diving and sky diving. Also, you will not be covered for preexisting conditions, which are medical issues that you were previously diagnosed or treated for. The length of time they look back can be anywhere from 90 days to two years, so read the policy carefully.

Where can I buy this insurance?
You can ask an insurance broker. There are also websites that can assist you. Here are a few:

Remember to do your homework. Compare companies, plans, and prices, and read online reviews.

Safe and happy travels!


Janet Pearl
Health Services Manager, Health Insurance Resource Center

Do you work in performing arts and entertainment and have questions about health insurance? The Actors Fund provides assistance nationally. Contact our regional office closest to you to speak to a counselor.

New York City
917.281.5975

Los Angeles
855.491.3357

Don’t forget to use the resources section of our website. It contains tools to help you make decisions about your health insurance, including new online tutorials on how to choose providers and how to read an Explanation of Benefits. In addition, you’ll find an updated Stage Managers National Health Directory, our national online directory of health care providers recommended by industry professionals that can be used by theaters and touring companies. For these resources and more, visit actorsfund.org/HealthServices. You can also find out more about enrollment assistance and upcoming health insurance seminars near you!