Frequently Asked Questions
What is Music Health Alliance?
What is Music Health Alliance (MHA)?
Music Health Alliance is a nonprofit organization that provides music industry professionals with safe, confidential healthcare advocacy and support through simplified access to healthcare resources, health insurance, and guidance for your health-related needs.
What differentiates MHA from others offering access to individual health insurance?
We are a nonprofit organization, and our services are based upon customized solutions for our clients and their families. Health insurance is typically a commission-based, for-profit business, so agent suggestions are often motivated by contests and commissions. At MHA, we put our clients first, advocating for the best options based on individual needs and budget.
What is an MHA healthcare advocate?
Our healthcare advocates support and promote the rights of the patient in the healthcare arena. They help build the capacity to improve the music community’s health and enhance health initiatives — focused on available, safe, quality care that is often not easily found. MHA health advocates are experienced, licensed, and trained to address the challenge of patient-centered care in our nation’s complex healthcare system.
Does MHA employ medical staff? What qualifies MHA to help with my healthcare issues?
MHA does not employ doctors, nurses, or medical staff. Our healthcare advocates are music industry and healthcare veterans who are licensed and experienced in navigating the fields of health insurance, mental health, Medicare, healthcare reform, state, and federal programs.
Over the last 10 years, our healthcare advocates have developed proprietary networks of physicians, clinics, and pharmacies to help music industry professionals get — and stay — well. MHA has physicians and nurses on its Advisory Board.
How Can Music Health Alliance Help?
What happens when I contact MHA with a healthcare need?
First and foremost, if you have a healthcare emergency, call 911 (local) or 988 (national suicide and crisis lifeline).
If and when you contact MHA, there is a simple process we employ to help ensure your healthcare issue is resolved:
- Step 1: Once you contact MHA and describe your healthcare concern, your case will be assigned to an MHA healthcare advocate
- Step 2: The MHA healthcare advocate will reach out to you within 1-2 business days to make an appointment to speak with you about your need.
- Step 3: Once you speak with your healthcare advocate, they will create a plan of action. In some cases, the advocate will need to research options and get back to you.
- Step 4: Your MHA healthcare advocate will continue to work with you until a solution is found and implemented.
- Step 5: Your MHA healthcare advocate will establish a long-term prevention and wellness plan with you and follow-up as long as you need us.
How much do services and programs provided by MHA cost?
All services provided by our healthcare advocates are available at no cost for qualifying individuals and their immediate families. MHA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and depends on donations and fundraising for support. We keep our overhead low, and 86% of ALL donations directly to the programs and services we provide. Please note that while our advocacy services are free, health insurance premiums are the responsibility of the individual.
What are some healthcare-related issues that MHA can help resolve?
Many health-related issues our healthcare advocates help resolve include:
- Lack of health insurance (including those with pre-existing conditions)
- Newly diagnosed illness
- Need to find a doctor
- Can’t afford medicine
- High medical bills
- Pregnant with no health insurance,
- New to area and no healthcare options
- Sick and cannot afford to pay for doctor visit
- A small company looking for group health options
Will anyone know I’ve contacted MHA?
No. MHA provides a safe and confidential place for the music community to seek guidance, ask questions, and find solutions to their healthcare needs. Our healthcare advocates are bound by HIPAA Privacy Rules — provided by the federal government — that protect your personal health information.
Who Can Music Health Alliance Help?
Does MHA only help the music industry professional, or can they help my family, as well?
Spouses, legal domestic partners, and dependent family members also may qualify for our services. However, our dental health care grants are just for music industry professionals.
Do I have to be a member of a music organization to access MHA programs and services? Who qualifies for help?
No. You don’t need to be a member of any music organization to qualify for our programs and services. MHA programs and services are available to any person who has worked in the music industry for 3+years. Spouses, legal domestic partners, and dependent family members also may qualify.
Do I have to meet income requirements to receive services from MHA?
No. Our programs and services are available to all income levels. However, some of our grants have income limits.
General Health Insurance Questions
What should I be aware of when purchasing health insurance?
Make sure the health insurance you purchase meets your specific needs and budget — beware of unnecessary additions! For example, health insurance agents are likely to bundle plans and use sophisticated sales tactics to convince clients that they need supplemental plans (i.e. – an accident rider, cancer/critical illness policy, etc.), as these additional policies yield high commissions for the agents. These supplemental plans may be beneficial, if needed. However, they may not fit your current needs and budget. Don’t hesitate to contact MHA for confidential guidance.
What’s the difference between group and individual insurance?
A group plan is only available through an employer. Individual plans are independent of employment and the premiums are based on the individual. A group insurance plan can be more expensive than individual because the company is covering all employees regardless of their health status.
What’s the deal with Medicare? Can I just keep my spouse’s group health insurance?
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Whether or not you stay with your current health insurance depends on your individual situation. A licensed MHA healthcare advocate can help you navigate your options and provide you with the facts so you can make the best decision for you and/or your family.
How can I get health insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?
MHA works closely with multiple health insurance companies to provide a number of options. The Affordable Care Act also opened up a number of options for those with pre-existing medical conditions. We can help you navigate your options with factual information to help you make the best decision for you and/or your family.
Why don’t music organizations like the Grammys or Country Music Association offer group health insurance for their members?
True group health insurance — meaning regulated by Federal Law — is very expensive, especially when there is no employee/employer relationship. Legally, a group health plan can be created when there are two or more unrelated employees of the same company. However, associations and trade organizations fall into another category. Association plans are not regulated by Federal Law and often have extensive internal limitations. It’s important to read the fine-print to understand what is — and what is not — covered by an association health plan. MHA can help!
What’s a deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money an individual has to pay before insurance coverage begins. Services with copays or preventative visits are typically not subject to one’s deductible.
What’s a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is a health issue that exists before an individual applies for a health insurance plan.
What’s a High Deductible Health Plan?
High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have a lower monthly premium and a higher deductible than most traditional plans. HDHPs are a form of catastrophic coverage and are often a requirement for a Health Savings Account (HSA).
What’s a Health Savings Account and who’s best suited for one?
A Health Savings Account (HSA) combines a tax-deductible savings account with a high deductible insurance plan. The funds contributed to the savings account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit, roll over annually, and are never taxed if used for eligible medical expenses. HSAs are a good fit for healthy individuals who do not make frequent trips to the doctor or who have regular prescriptions for expensive medications.
What’s a Short-Term Insurance Plan and how long does one last?
A Short-Term Health Insurance Plan is a temporary health insurance coverage option designed to provide medical benefits for a limited period. These plans are typically intended to bridge gaps in coverage when individuals are between jobs, waiting for employer-sponsored insurance to begin, or during other transitional periods. Doctor’s office visits and prescription costs are usually not covered. Short-Term Health Insurance Plans often range from one to six months, depending on the insurance company.
What are my options if I’ve been denied individual health insurance and have no access to a group plan?
There are sometimes state and federal programs available to those who have been declined due to health history. At MHA, our healthcare advocates have a proprietary list of healthcare options and resources in all 50 states.
What are some services covered by preventative benefits in my health insurance plan?
A yearly pap smear test, mammograms, immunizations, cholesterol screenings, prostate and Prostate-Specific Antigen screenings, bone density testing, colonoscopies, and more are all covered by preventative benefits. Our healthcare advocates can provide you with an extensive list of wellness and preventative services that are covered by your health insurance plan.
What’s the difference between in-network and out-of-network?
In-network healthcare providers meet certain credentialing requirements and agree to accept discounted rates for covered services under your health insurance plan. They can help you save money by performing services at a pre-negotiated rate.
When a doctor or facility has not contracted with your health insurance plan, they’re considered out-of-network and charge full price. The cost is usually much higher than the in-network discounted rate.