Fall 2020 Spotlight on Benefits Newsletter Now Available

The Fall 2020 issue of the Spotlight on Benefits newsletter is now available. This issue includes notice of several benefit updates and recaps the benefit changes enacted by the Board of Trustees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board of Trustees continues to closely monitor the situation as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Should any additional benefits changes be made or new legislation be passed, updates will be announced here on the Plans’ website, through email blasts and in subsequent newsletters. A complete list of the Plans’ responses to the COVID-19 outbreak and additional available resources are listed on the Plans’ COVID-19 Resources and Updates page.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Getting Your Flu Shot is More Important Than Ever This Year.  For covered Health Plan Participants, flu shots are covered at 100% under the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care benefits if administered by a network provider or network pharmacy. For any questions, contact our Participant Services Department at (323) 866-2200, Ext. 401 or toll-free (877) 866-2200, Ext. 401. For more about the 2020-2021 flu season, visit the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
• Board of Trustees Approves Three Months of Premium-Free COBRA Coverage for Health Plan Participants with Earned Active Coverage Terminating September 30, 2020.
• Period of Premium-Free COBRA Coverage for Health Plan Participants with Earned Active Coverage That Terminated June 30, 2020 Extended Through December 31, 2020.
• Board of Trustees Increases Loan Limits from Your Supplemental Plan Account Through December 31, 2020.  Full loan terms and application are available at www.dgaplans.org/LoanTerms.
• New Collective Bargaining Agreement Brings Increase in Employer Pension Contributions from 7% to 8% of Reportable Compensation, with the Additional 1% Allocated to the Basic Plan Effective July 1, 2020.
• Board of Trustees Approves Updates to the 2020 Pension and Health Plans Summary Plan Descriptions.  A list of corrections and changes made to the 2020 Summary Plan Descriptions, as follows:
  • Clarification of Government-Mandated Waiver of Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Testing.
  • Clarification of Maternity Care Coverage for Dependent Children.
  • Clarification of Therapy Coverage.
  • Limitations of Endorsements on Payment Instruments.
  • Application of Contributions on Earnings for Work Delayed Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
• Express Scripts’ Mid-Year Changes to List of Covered Medications Effective July 1. Express Scripts has revised its list of covered medications. The complete 2020 list of excluded medications along with preferred alternatives is available here.
• Want to Know the Plans? Get to Know Our Website.
• Combat Digital Eye Strain.