COVID-19 Resources and Updates

• On January 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced its intent to end the COVID-19-related National Emergency and Public Health Emergency, effective May 11, 2023. On April 10, 2023, however, President Biden signed legislation, which ended the National Emergency immediately.  The Public Health Emergency is still expected to end on May 11, 2023. The end of the emergency periods also means that certain pandemic-era relief measures will also end, as detailed below. 

Health Plan Coverage of At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Covered Participants and Dependents with No Cost-Sharing

• ENDS May 11, 2023. The Health Plan will cover up to 8 at-home COVID tests for covered participants and dependents with no cost-sharing beginning January 15, 2022. The Federal government recently released new rules requiring insurers and group health plans, including the DGA Health Plan, to cover at-home COVID-19 tests purchased without a doctor’s order or individual health assessment at no cost for covered participants and their eligible dependents, beginning January 15, 2022 and throughout the National Emergency Period. The Health Plan will implement this change through its prescription benefit manager, CVS Caremark.

Government Extends Deadlines for Claims and Appeals, Special Enrollment and COBRA

• ENDS July 10, 2023. The government has temporarily allowed participants extra time to file claims and meet certain deadlines related to appeals, special enrollments, and COBRA. The relief provides that the time period from March 1, 2020 to the date sixty (60) days after the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency will not count for purposes of applying certain deadlines.
  Download the official notice

Temporary Health Plan Coverage Changes

• ENDS May 11, 2023. Effective March 18, 2020: Temporary coverage for all COVID-19 related testing
• Effective March 16, 2020: Temporary coverage of all telemedicine and telepsychology visits

Important Notices from the Plans

• Register for the myPHP benefits portal to get your benefits information electronically
• Remit premium payments through E-Bill Express
• Submit completed forms, open enrollment, and pension applications via email or fax for faster delivery. Refer to our Department Directory for a listing of departmental email addresses and/or fax numbers.
• Enroll in direct deposit to ensure uninterrupted Pension Plans payments
• Visiting the Plans Office

Dental Care

• Get quality dental care in the comfort of your home by joining BrushSmart^TM, the oral wellness program exclusively for Delta Dental members. Learn about at-home care routines and other tips to maintain your oral health. Sign up and, as your first offer, receive a 25% discount on Sonicare products.

Online Symptom Checks and Telemedicine

• Learn about telehealth and telepsychology services available through Anthem Blue Cross’ LiveHealth Online.  Also, get information on how to use the Sydney Care mobile app in conjunction with LiveHealth Online to check for COVID-19 symptoms and connect directly to a LiveHealth Online doctor via video session or chat.

Vision Care

• Essential medical eye care services including urgent eye care will continue to be available to covered Health Plan participants with vision coverage. Call your VSP network doctor to inquire about an appointment, get more information on their updated protocols or inquire about virtual services.

• DGA Foundation Coronavirus Relief Fund in association with the Motion Picture and Television Fund—The DGA Foundation (DGF) in association with the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) has launched a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund offering $1,000 relief grants to assist DGA members impacted by production shutdowns during the pandemic crisis. The new Relief Fund is in addition to the DGA Foundation’s existing interest-free loan program for members experiencing financial hardship.
• DGA COVID-19 Resources and Updates page—A dedicated webpage from the Directors Guild of America with resources, updates and COVID-19-related information, updated as the situation evolves.
• Hollywood Guilds Tap Emergency Funds for Workers, But That May Not Be Enough—A Hollywood Reporter article with links to various resources available to sustain entertainment industry workers unable to work during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 website
• World Health Organization COVID-19 website