Links and Resources (This page was updated on 2/2/17)
Before you contact any of these resources, we strongly suggest that you read and print out the following sections: the basics, and the Guide for Navigating the Health Care Reform Law.
Please make sure you tell them you are an artist as many organizations are keeping track of the number of artists who contact them.
• Important Phone Numbers
• State Organizations and Agencies
• Massachusetts Health Care Providers
• Massachusetts Health Advocacy Organizations and Coalitions
• Legal help and Medical Bills & Medical Debt Relief
• Key Artist Friendly Contact People and Their OrganizationsImportant Phone Numbers (IMPORTANT TIP: After you review and print out information from this site, we urge you to call the HCFA hotline first or visit your local community health center to see what you are eligible for. See our Key Contact People section on this page as well. If you think you might be eligible for the Insurance Partnership- contact the staff people at the IP denoted below)
• Health Care For All's Help Line: 1-800-272-4232 (this help line is for individuals only)
Helpline link-and email form• The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the Connector) http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=hichomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Qhic.
The health care reform law created a new independent State agency, the Connector. This organization is charged with implementation of the law and for creating the policies, programs, and regulations to make the law a reality. The Connector is charged with setting the standards that define what "credible and affordable" health insurance coverage is for the State. Remember to only use the Connector's websites as a reference and do not enroll via their website for any program.• Department of Revenue (DOR)-The Massachusetts Department of Revenue administers the tax laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, oversees the Child Support Enforcement and The Division of Local Services that helps Massachusetts cities and towns achieve sound and efficient fiscal management through technical assistance, training and oversight. DOR will be enforcing the individual mandate of the Health Care Reform Law via tax payers' income taxes and also will be enforcing that businesses abide by the regulations of the Health Care Reform Law.
Massachusetts Health Care Providers and Health Care Advocates:
• The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Directory):
http://www.massleague.org/HealthCenters.htm• The Massachusetts Hospital Association (Directory):
http://www.mhalink.org/public/mahospitals/Also see Community Partners list to find a health care advocate near you (note Community Partners closed in 2009 but is keeping their website up): http://www.communitywalk.com/map/list/104183?order=0
Massachusetts Health Care Advocacy Organizations and Coalitions:
• Health Care for All (HCFA) www.hcfama.org Main number: 1-617-350-7279
• Health Care For All's Help Line: 1-800-272-4232 (this help line is for individuals only)
Helpline link-and email form• The ACT II Coalition ACT II Coalition.
• ECU-Health Care, Inc www.ecuhealthcare.com 1-413-663-8711
(a health care access program in the North Berkshire area)• The Resource Page from Health Care for All
See both their public and private programs sectionsUniversal Health Care/Single Payer Resources:
• Single payer guide from the Massachusetts Nurse's Association
http://www.massnurses.org/single_payer/singlepay.htm• Mass-Care aka The Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care
www.masscare.orgLegal Help and Medical Bills & Medical Debt Relief for Individuals (State-Wide Resources)
• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts (VLA) www.vlma.org Toll Free: 1-800-864-0476. The VLA can provide legal advise and help to individuals, arts organizations, and arts related businesses.
• Health Law Advocates (HLA) www.hla-inc.org 1-617-338-5241
NOTE: HLA is working in collaboration with the VLA- so artists non artists should contact HLA. HLA only serves individuals. HLA helps people with medical debt, credit card medical debt, and medical bills that they can not afford.• The Massachusetts Immigration & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) www.miracoalition.org
MIRA is an organization that can help you navigate visa options, citizenship issues, adjustment of status, replacement/renewal of legal permanent residency cards, etc..List of key contact people for artists
Statewide contacts:
• Health Care For All's Help Line: 1-800-272-4232 (this help line is for individuals only)
Helpline link-and email form