Health Plan: Minimum Earnings Threshold
In order to become eligible for Health Plan coverage you must work in DGA Covered Employment and meet the minimum earnings threshold for earned coverage. For detailed information about qualifying for health coverage, please refer to the Eligibility section of the January 2010 Health Plan Booklet.
DGA Choice Plan
For earnings periods beginning in 2010, the minimum earning threshold to qualify for one year of DGA Choice Plan coverage is $33,400*.
DGA Premier Choice Plan
For earnings periods beginning in 2010, the minimum earning threshold to qualify for one year of DGA Premier Choice Plan coverage is $101,000*.
*The minimum earnings threshold is reviewed by the Board of Trustees on an annual basis. You should always contact the Health Plan for the current minimum earnings threshold.
Earning Periods
An earning period is the 12-months during which the Health Plan receives contributions on your behalf on covered earnings equal to or greater than the current applicable minimum earnings threshold.
Earning periods begin on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.
Your initial earning period will be the first four-quarter period in which you meet the minimum earnings threshold. This will remain your applicable earning period for as long as you qualify for earned coverage, without a break.
Please see the chart below for a detailed illustration of earning periods and their corresponding benefit periods.
Benefit Periods
A benefit period is the 12-month period during which you are eligible for coverage under the Health Plan.
Benefit periods begin January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.
Due to the time needed to receive and process contributions on your behalf, there is a mandatory three-month (one calendar quarter) waiting period between the end of the earning period in which you qualify for earned coverage and the beginning of your corresponding benefit period. Once your coverage begins, it remains in effect for one benefit period.
Please see the chart below for a detailed illustration of earning periods and their corresponding benefit periods.
Earning and Benefit Periods Chart
The following chart illustrates the four 2010 earning periods and their corresponding benefit periods. A participant that meets the minimum earnings threshold during one of the four earnings periods will qualify for one year of health coverage following the three-month waiting period.
