Great news! The Trustees of the DGA Pension & Health Plans have just approved an amazing new benefit for participants affected by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter proudly announced the creation of a free major medical plan to help those facing financial hardship during this difficult time. This innovative effort by the Plans’ trustees will ensure that participants and their eligible dependents can retain basic health coverage. It’s a crucial step in supporting our members during these challenging times.
But that’s not all. The Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plan has also taken similar action to ease the requirements for their members affected by the strikes. However, it’s important to note that members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are still without similar protections. It’s surprising considering that all the major health plans are funded by the same companies and have management trustees represented by them. Carol Lombardini, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, serves on the boards of all four major P&H Plans.
The WGA has been on strike since May 2, and SAG-AFTRA joined the strike on July 14. Both guilds’ members are now facing the loss of health care coverage. Unfortunately, the eligibility requirements for health and pension benefits remain the same during the strike. The joint board of trustees, which includes management-side trustees, controls the Pension & Health Plans, making it challenging to make adjustments to the eligibility requirements.
However, the DGA’s P&H Plans have stepped up to provide a solution. The new Major Medical Plus Plan offers network-only medical coverage with certain benefit exclusions and prescription drug benefits. It will be available for three months initially, from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, with the possibility of extending eligibility in the future. Please note that hearing aids, chiropractic, acupuncture, foot orthotics, dental benefits, vision benefits, and special arrangements with UCLA Health/EIMG are excluded from coverage under this plan.
To qualify for the Major Medical Plus Plan, members must have worked under the Basic Agreement or the Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement and meet specific requirements. Qualified participants can include their eligible dependents for the duration of the coverage. If you qualify, you will receive a letter from the Health Plan with instructions on how to elect the coverage.
We understand the challenges you’re facing, and we’re here to support you. Stay strong, and remember that we’re all in this together.
