Entertainment · Celebrity · 1 hr ago
Drake Bell says he does not qualify for SAG-AFTRA health insurance
Actor Drake Bell says he does not qualify for SAG-AFTRA health insurance after sharing a screenshot from the union’s health plan website.
The screenshot lists $17,480.53 in covered earnings and says he needs $11,452.47 more to qualify.
Bell criticized SAG-AFTRA and its president, Sean Astin, and told people not to become actors or join the union.
The plan requires members to meet earnings and other eligibility rules to receive health coverage.
Other actors have also spoken publicly about difficulty qualifying for insurance amid a lack of acting work.
SAG-AFTRA had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
Drake Bell said he did not qualify for health insurance through the SAG-AFTRA health plan.
A screenshot he shared showed covered earnings of $17,480.53 for July 2025 through June 2026.
The screenshot said he did not meet minimum eligibility requirements or other eligibility rules.
Bell urged people not to become actors or join SAG and criticized SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin.
Reports gave different minimum earnings figures for coverage: $28,933 and $28,090.
- Who
- Drake Bell, an actor and former Nickelodeon star.
- What
- He said he did not qualify for SAG-AFTRA health insurance and criticized the union.
- When
- He shared the post on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- On his Instagram Story.
- Why
- His reported covered earnings did not meet minimum eligibility requirements, or he did not qualify under other eligibility rules.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The health plan website said Bell’s reported covered earnings for this period did not meet minimum eligibility requirements, or he did not qualify under other eligibility rules.
Bell shared a screenshot of his health plan account and criticized SAG-AFTRA on his Instagram Story.
- Reported covered earnings
- $17,480.53
- Additional earnings needed
- $11,452.47
- Minimum earnings figure
- Just Jared and Deadline reported $28,933; Hollywood Reporter reported $28,090
- Eligibility period
- July 2025-June 2026
- SAG-AFTRA president
- Sean Astin
3 sources
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What people are saying
Do not become an actor. Do not join SAG. You can work for 35 years and they still say [middle finger emoji].
@SAGAFTRA really though @SeanAstin you’re doing a bang up job. How about stop using actors to run things maybe? They literally just know how to say words in front of a camera
Do not become an actor. Do not join SAG,