Do You Have to be in a Union to Get Health Insurance for the Film Industry?
Obtaining health insurance coverage when you’re working in the film industry could be challenging if you’re not in a union. Which covers all of these essentials under your contract. Most union members don’t worry much about their health insurance because rates, and coverage, are negotiated as part of the collective bargaining agreements covered under their contracts. But those who are not part of a film worker’s union might wonder. What’s in store for them? Do you have to be in a union to get health insurance for the film industry? Or is minimum essential coverage available privately and independently?
Although most industry workers, actors, and crew tend to get health insurance through their unions. Those who are not part of a union are not without coverage if they can find healthcare coverage that is affordable for them.
Changes in healthcare, and the introduction of Obamacare several years ago, actually made health insurance more affordable for many industry workers that are not union members.
Film Industry Workers Benefit from Federal Health Care Laws
Statistically, many film industry workers benefited from federal health care laws. Which were enacted several years ago as a means of providing more affordable coverage to Americans.
In an industry that was predominantly populated with self-employed workers. Health coverage outside of the union was largely out of reach for decades.
Actors and other industry workers struggled to get coverage as self-employed members of society. And since the industry was made up of about 30% of workers who claimed self-employment. This meant that many went uninsured.
Qualification Variation
Additionally, while many unions do provide health coverage under their contacts. Not all workers that are members of the union qualify for union coverage.
Different rules and contract regulations would mean different coverage options or potential qualifications for members.
Moreover, according to data recently acquired from SAG-AFTRA. One of the largest unions for actors and film crew members. Less than 20% of members actually qualified for union health insurance coverage.
Minimum Essential Coverage for Workers
Do you have to be in a union to get health insurance for the film industry? The short answer is, NO! In fact, being a union member does not guarantee health coverage for a film crew member any more than not being in a union would.
Fortunately, changes to the healthcare insurance industry in America, and federal subsidies that were incorporated into healthcare reform, have made it possible for film crew workers that are members of the union.
And those who are not, to get essential health care coverage for their needs.
