The following listings have been compiled for craftspeople seeking practical information about health insurance. These listings include many, but not all, health care resources.

Additions are welcome for possible inclusion in these listings.

American Association of Museums Offers health insurance to independent curators, consultants, professional staff, volunteers and artists working for museums. Membership is open to anyone, but membership fees vary, from $35-$140 annually, depending on salary range and the nature of affiliation with museums. Contact: 1225 I St. N.W., Ste. 400 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 218-7673 Arts and Cultural Council of Greater Rochester Provides group health insurance to artist members who reside in the New York counties of Monroe, Livingston, Yates, Ontario, Seneca or Wayne. Membership is not limited to artists, but is open to only those living in these counties. Artists can choose from five plans offered by Finger Lakes Blue Cross Blue Shield: Blue Million, Blue Choice, Blue Choice Select, Comprehensive Plus, MSA Blue. Membership is $45, annually. Contact: 335 E. Main St., Ste. 200 Rochester, NY 14604 (716) 546-5602 Chicago Artists' Coalition (CAC) Offers health care insurance. The provider is Janecek Associates. Coverage includes PPO, HMO, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and major medical. You must be a member of CAC to be eligible. Membership is open to anyone interested in the arts. Contact: 11 E. Hubbard St., 7th floor Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 670-2060 fax: (312)670-2521 Web site: www.caconline.org/home.html College Art Association Group Insurance Plan Offers health care insurance to members, administered by Wohlers Insurance. Membership is $25 and up for students annually, according to salary. Membership is open to non-students at a higher rate. Contact: 275 Seventh Ave. New York, NY 10001 (212) 691-1051 For insurance information, call Wohlers Insurance at: (800) 503-9230. Country Sampler Group (formerly the American Professional Crafters Guild) Offers its members a variety of services including health/life/dental/casualty insurance at group rates for individuals or to cover employees. Membership is open to all. Contact: Sampler Publications 707 Kautz Rd. St. Charles, IL 60174 (888) CRAFTER, or Karen Slocun, member services director, at: (630) 377-8000, ext. 250 Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington Provides health insurance to members in the Washington, D.C., area. Membership is $68, annually, and is open to anyone. HMOs, PPOs and point-of-service plans are offered through Kaiser, George Washington University and Optimum. Plans have no contingencies for pre-existing conditions, and cover dental, mental health and prescriptions. Rates vary based on the plan. Contact: 1436 U St. N.W., Ste. 103 Washington, DC 20009 (202) 638-2406 Empire State Crafts Alliance Group health and dental is available. You do not have to be a member in order to receive insurance, but the rates are less expensive for members. Membership costs $30, annually, for individuals, and covers New York residents only. Contact: 501 W. Fayette St. Syracuse, NY 13204 (315) 472-4245 National Artists Equity Association Offers HMOs within a limited area. It also has coverage available through Mutual of Omaha. Contact: Box 28068 Central Station Washington, DC 20038-8068 (202) 628-9633

National Association for the Self-Employed Provides major medical, PPO, and HMO, through several different insurance companies, to members. Membership fees are $72 for Access, $240 for Gold and $360 for Platinum, annually. Membership is open to all; however, health benefits differ from state to state. Contact: 2121 Precinct Line Rd. Hurst, TX 76054 (800) 232-6273 National Sculpture Society Offers health care insurance to members only. Membership is $40 annually, which includes a subscription to their magazine and all mailings. Contact: 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 (212) 764-5645 National Small-business United Offers health insurance to members through Mutual of Omaha. Membership fee is $75 per year and is open to anyone. Contact: 1156 15th St. N.W., Ste. 1100 Washington, DC 20005 (800) 345-NSBU New York Artists Equity Association Offers health insurance to members in New York, New Jersey and southern Florida. Members in all other states can call Mutual of Omaha at (212) 490-7979 to determine eligibility for alternative health care plans. Membership is $35 annually. Membership is open to anyone; however, those who are not visual artists cannot vote in association elections. Contact: 498 Broome St. New York, NY 10013 (212) 941-0130 e-mail: reginas@anny.org Web site: www.anny.org The Pastel Society Offers health care to juried-in members only. Contact: 15 Gramercy Park New York, NY 10003 (212) 533-6931 RBA Insurance Roy Assad, broker, represents nonprofit groups and writes insurance for individual artists. Contact: 20 E. 46th St., Ste. 1000 New York, NY 10017 (800) 722-0160 Small Business Service Bureau Offers health insurance such as HMOs, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, etc., to members. Membership fees vary by state, $85 and up, annually. Membership is open to any business. Contact: 554 Main St. Worcester, MA 01608 (800) 222-5678 Support Services Alliance Offers health insurance to its members. Providers are Blue Shield or Group Health Incorporated (GHI), depending on the region in which the member lives. Membership is restricted to residents of New York State, and membership fees are determined by the number of people in the group. Contact: 102 Prospect St. Schoharie, NY 12157 (518) 295-7966 or (800) 322-3920 Texas Fine Arts Association (TFAA) Offers health insurance to members nationwide. Membership is $25 annually. There are two health plans available which offer major medical, and a discount card for prescriptions. Contact: 3809-B W. 35th St. Austin, TX 78703 (512) 453-5312 e-mail: txfinearts@aol.com

These links are provided as a service to the crafts community, and do not necessarily represent endorsement by The Crafts Report.

Kirsten Coughlin is The Crafts Report's editorial assistant. Darcy Newbold is The Crafts Report's intern.

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