BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES TWO ADDITIONAL THREE-MONTH EXTENSIONS THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 2024 OF FREE MAJOR MEDICAL PLUS PLAN COVERAGE UNDER HEALTH PLAN FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024 AND OCTOBER 1, 2024

As a result of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and to help mitigate the impact on participant eligibility for those whose coverage will expire June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the DGA-Producer Health Plan unanimously approved another extension of the Major Medical Plus Plan for two additional three-month periods beginning July 1, 2024 and October 1, 2024 for participants who meet certain eligibility requirements.

On May 30, 2024, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved two additional three-month extensions of free strike-related Major Medical Plus Plan coverage, recognizing that those who will lose Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, may also be impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Like before, extended Major Medical Plus Plan coverage is available to eligible Plan participants and their dependents.

The Board of Trustees previously offered Major Medical Plus Plan coverage to participants and their eligible dependents who lost Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2024. Those who previously elected the coverage are also eligible for the extended Major Medical Plus Plan coverage, provided you remain on the Major Medical Plus Plan through June 30, 2024 for the extension on July 1, 2024 and through September 30, 2024 for the extension on October 1, 2024.

What the Major Medical Plus Plan Covers

The strike-related Major Medical Plus Plan provides the following benefits:

  • Network medical coverage, including mental health and substance abuse benefits.
  • In the case of Emergency Services provided at a non-network facility, when you receive emergency or non-emergency services from a non-network provider at certain network facilities, or emergency air ambulance services provided by non-network providers, non-network providers may not balance bill a patient and the patient will pay the same cost sharing that applies to network claims.
  • Prescription drug coverage.

Hearing aids, chiropractic, acupuncture, and foot orthotics are excluded from coverage under the Major Medical Plus Plan, as are dental benefits, vision benefits, and special arrangements with UCLA Health/EIMG.

Who Qualifies

To qualify for the Major Medical Plus Plan, you must have worked under the Basic Agreement or the Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement and satisfy the requirements below. Individuals in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 who previously elected, and remain on, the Major Medical Plus Plan through June 30, 2024, are also eligible for the most recent extensions provided you elected and remain on the Major Medical Plus Plan through June 30, 2024 for the extension on July 1, 2024 and through September 30, 2024 for the extension on October 1, 2024:

  • Group 1: You and your eligible dependents lost Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of June 30, 2023 and did not have sufficient earnings to requalify effective October 1, 2023 for the applicable work period July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and have at least $10,000 in initial compensation during the work period July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and the DGA-Producer Health Plan is your primary plan; OR
  • Group 2: You and your eligible dependents lost Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of September 30, 2023 and did not have sufficient earnings to requalify effective October 1, 2023 for the applicable work period July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and have at least $10,000 in initial compensation during the work period July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and the DGA-Producer Health Plan is your primary plan; OR
  • Group 3: You and your eligible dependents lost Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of December 31, 2023 and did not have sufficient earnings to requalify effective January 1, 2024 for the applicable work period October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 and have at least $7,500 in initial compensation during the work period October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 and the DGA-Producer Health Plan is your primary plan; OR
  • Group 4: You and your eligible dependents lost Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of March 31, 2024 and did not have sufficient earnings to requalify effective April 1, 2024 for the applicable work period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 and have at least $5,000 in initial compensation during the work period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 and the DGA-Producer Health Plan is your primary plan; OR
  • Group 5: You and your eligible dependents will lose Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of June 30, 2024 and do not have sufficient earnings to requalify effective July 1, 2024 for the applicable work period April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and have at least $5,000 in initial compensation during the work period April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and the DGA-Producer Health Plan is your primary plan; OR
  • Group 6: You and your eligible dependents will lose Earned Active or regular Carry-Over coverage as of September 30, 2024 and do not have sufficient earnings to requalify effective October 1, 2024 for the work period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and have at least $5,000 in initial compensation during the work period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and the DGA-Producer Health Plan is your primary plan.

Eligible participants may also cover their eligible dependents under the Major Medical Plus Plan.

Eligibility Exclusions

You are ineligible for free strike-related Major Medical Plus Plan if you fit within any of the following categories:

  • You worked under an agreement other than the Basic Agreement or Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement and lost (or will lose) coverage on either June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024; OR
  • You have Earned Inactive coverage based on residual compensation; OR
  • You have any form of self-pay coverage (including COBRA, Extended Self-Pay, Retiree Carry-Over or Certified Retiree); OR
  • You are covered by other insurance or if you qualify for Medicare as your primary coverage; OR
  • You have available Carry-Over credits or Retiree Carry-Over credits or are eligible to begin Certified Retiree coverage. (You will be required to use your credits or Certified Retiree coverage.)

Eligible Participants Will Be Notified

Participants who qualify for the latest extensions of coverage under the Major Medical Plus Plan will be notified by the Health Plan. If you are eligible, you should receive a letter from the Health Plan with further information.

If you believe you should be eligible for the extended Major Medical Plus Plan coverage and do not receive notification, or for any other questions, please contact a Participant Services Representative at (323) 866-2200, Ext. 401.