Health care and health insurance are very expensive, especially for an independent artist. Woodhull Hospital, a part of the Health and Hospitals Corporation of New York City, the public hospital system, has created a great financial assistance program.

If you are an artist or arts worker who lives in the 5 boroughs of NYC, and makes less than $37,000 annually, you may be eligible for a new healthcare program through HIP. It's lowcost, and it also has the potential of allowing you to trade performance time or artwork for healthcare!

ArtistAccess is a pilot program developed at Brooklyn's Woodhull Medical Center for ALL New York City based artists and arts workers. A special program of the pre-existing HHC Options program (with the same financial parameters and formula), ArtistAccess was designed specifically for artists living in any of NYC's five boroughs. Presently, the ArtistAccess program is ONLY available at Woodhull. (but it is expected to move to other hospitals)

The defining elements of the ArtistAccess program are: you are provided with an 877 number to set up your initial financial and medical appointment at Woodhull, (877) 244-5600; you will be met at the entrance of the hospital at the date of your first appointment and escorted to your appointment; and if you'd like to, you can exchange artistic services for medical services - at Woodhull.

For more information visit: http://dtw.org/ser_woodhull.cfm