The Brooklyn Rail

The open enrollment period for health coverage in 2026 began on November 1 for plans sold through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Marketplace. Jim Bracchitta, Associate Director of Health Services at the Entertainment Community Fund, spoke to Peter Newell, the director of the Health Insurance Project for the United Hospital Fund, a New York City-based nonprofit devoted to improving health care for all New Yorkers. Newell is also the author of Riskier Business, a free consumer guide with tips on finding access to care and coverage. The guide was supported by the Venturous Theater Fund.

Below is their conversation about what theater workers and other entertainment professionals need to know about health coverage this year, and how it has changed since last.

Jim Bracchitta (Rail): Peter, congratulations on getting the updated guide out. It’s a great resource. What made you call it Riskier Business this year?

Peter Newell: Well Jim, as you know, we have a new president and a new Congress in 2025, with different ideas on access to health coverage, affordability, immigration, and consumer protections, so there’s been a lot of changes. That means additional risks for consumers—and in some cases, higher costs. The biggest issue right now is the failure of Congress to act on extending enhanced premium assistance for consumers that expires on December 31, 2025 and made Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) much more affordable.

Rail: Yes, we’re following that closely. Some people looking to renew coverage they had in 2025 are seeing increases of more than fifty percent. Lots of people new to the marketplace are wondering if they should just go without coverage. Any chance Congress will act to renew the expanded premium tax credits?

Newell: At this point, it doesn’t seem likely. However, the core Obamacare provisions are still in place, though coverage is likely to be more expensive.

Rail: So, what are the options for consumers this year?

Newell: New York offers four affordable coverage options. Financial help ranges from zero dollar premiums with very low cost sharing, to premium subsidies at higher levels, all based on household income. Annual Federal Poverty Level (FPL) standards are the basis for financial assistance. Consumers can check where their income falls with this calculator.

Rail: Can I look for coverage now?

Newell: Yes. Enrollment for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Enrollment for new QHP customers started November 1, and renewals started on November 16. Consumers have until December 15 to enroll in or renew coverage that starts on January 1, 2026. Open Enrollment ends January 31, 2026. After that, consumers can only enroll in coverage as the result of a change in circumstances, such as the loss of job-based coverage, marriage, divorce, moving, etc. How does someone get started with the Entertainment Community Fund?

Rail: I would recommend that performing arts professionals contact the Entertainment Community Fund for help.

Newell: Can you describe the process for me?

Rail: First, I recommend that everyone working in the performing arts and entertainment check out our website to see the full range of programs and services we offer. Those services are free and available via the Client Portal, so you will also find instructions on our website to register for a portal account.

Newell: What special challenges do theater workers and other entertainment professionals face?

Rail: Entertainment workers often have episodic employment, multiple revenue sources and unpredictable income. This can make it very challenging to estimate your income when applying for more affordable QHP coverage. We have many years of experience working with applicants from the industry and helping them navigate the Marketplace options.

Newell: Any other advice for entertainment professionals dealing with income issues?

Rail: People in the entertainment industry should focus on guaranteed income—which I know is a challenge. Most of us don’t know what the year ahead will bring. Nonetheless, you should enter what you know about your income—not what you hope will happen. Also, it’s always better—if you can—to enter income in the NY State of Health application as employer income, even if it’s 1099 income. Only enter it as self-employed income if you’re truly self-employed: you’re a piano teacher, for example, who teaches individual students and gets paid in cash. That’s self-employed. Working in a show for a producer is employer income. What about you Peter, any advice?

Newell: If you have an account, check in and update your contact information. Be on the lookout for mail or communications from the Marketplace. And give yourself time—you might have some hard decisions to make. Policyholders who don’t check in may be automatically enrolled in higher priced coverage for the new year that they cannot afford. Also, there are a lot of scammers out there—beware. If you are directed to a website without “.gov” in the URL, that’s a bad sign. The state Health Commissioner and Attorney General also offered these tips recently on avoiding scams.

Rail: What about people that can’t afford coverage?

Newell: Riskier Business has a lot of practical tips on discounted care from providers for individuals without coverage, financial assistance from hospitals, prescription coverage and more. There are also places where you can go for help to get the most out of your coverage if you have it.

Rail: How can consumers find out if anything changes in the courts or if Congress acts on preserving the full tax credits?

Newell: We will be updating the guide if anything new happens—good or bad. Shoppers can find updates on this page, and the NYSOH Marketplace is also advising consumers to stay connected by visiting this page. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that Congress will act, and we’ll have to do some updates—good ones, I hope.