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Summer 2023 Spotlight on Benefits Newsletter Now Available

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Board of Trustees Approves Temporary Loans from Your Supplemental Pension Plan Account Balance-Available Now Through December 31, 2023. To assist participants experiencing financial hardship during the work stoppage resulting from the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the Board of Trustees of the Directors Guild of America –Producer Pension and Health Plans has unanimously voted to allow temporary loans from the Supplemental Pension Plan effective immediately through December 31, 2023. For full loan terms and exclusions, refer to the loan application at www.dgaplans.org/loanterms.
  • Board of Trustees Unanimously Approves Free Major Medical Coverage for Qualifying Participants, Beginning October 1, 2023. To mitigate the health eligibility impact on participants who lose Health Plan coverage due to work stoppage resulting from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the Board of Trustees of the Directors Guild of America-Producer Pension and Health Plans has unanimously approved a free major medical plan for qualifying participants. This plan will offer medical coverage within the Anthem Blue Cross network, including mental health and substance abuse benefits, and prescription drug coverage. For eligibility and coverage details, visit www.dgaplans.org/majormedicalplus.
  • COVID-19 Update: Simplified vaccine guidance and changes to Health Plan coverage of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. On April 19, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced changes to its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals. One of which includes no longer recommending use of the original monovalent COVID-19 vaccines. Due to the ending of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency, the Health Plan has also ended coverage of all over-the-counter and elective COVID-19 testing. The Plan will continue to cover medically necessary COVID-19 testing from network and non-network providers in accordance with Health Plan rules and cost-sharing and will cover network COVID-19 vaccination costs at 100%.  
  • Pricing Tools from Anthem, CVS Caremark, Delta Dental and VSP Vision Help Take the Mystery Out of Your Medical Costs. Learning the cost of treatment while visiting health care providers can feel sudden and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This article lists cost estimators and comparison tools that help you have a better idea of what you might pay before arriving to a provider.
  • Should You Be Getting Your Prescriptions Filled Through CVS Maintenance Choice? If you are taking certain medications for three months or more (maintenance medications), you are allowed two courtesy fills of a 30-day supply, after which you must transition to a 90-day prescription filled through CVS Maintenance Choice, or pay full cost. This flowchart will guide you through the four ways to fill your maintenance medication with CVS Maintenance Choice from start to finish.
  • Cybersmart(er): AI Scams. This article is the second in an ongoing CyberSmart(er) series and explores AI scams, a recent and fast-growing method of cyberattack. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to steal passwords, personal information and money from victims faster and easier than ever before. Read this article to explore the common AI scams occurring today and tips for how to avoid becoming a victim of them. After reading the article, test your knowledge by taking the AI Scam Quiz here.
  • CVS Caremark Updates List of Covered Medications, Effective July 1, 2023. CVS Caremark, the Health Plan’s prescription drug benefit manager, periodically reviews its list of covered medications, called the Advanced Control Formulary, to ensure access to safe, effective treatments in all drug classes. Effective July 1, 2023, CVS Caremark is revising its list of covered medications in its formulary. Changes to the formulary affect which medications are covered by the Health Plan and how much you pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions. The complete 2023 list of excluded medications along with preferred alternatives is available at www.dgaplans.org/formulary. 
  • Save the Date. The Plans Health Fair and Flu Shot Clinic are coming this fall to Los Angeles on September 23 and New York City on October 14. The events will be held at the DGA office in Los Angeles and the DGA Theater in NY and include free flu shots, free neck and shoulder massages, raffles and an opportunity to meet representatives from the Plans and its benefit partners.