Pension and Health Plans' News
December 2009
In Memoriam: J. Nicholas Counter, III
DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans Trustee, J. Nicholas Counter, III, passed away on November 6, 2009. Mr. Counter had served on the Board of Trustees of the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans since 1982.
Prior to his retirement in March 2009, Mr. Counter served as president of the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers for 27 years, working as the chief negotiator on 311 major labor deals, including the DGA’s most recent agreement.
In addition to his 27 years of service to the DGA-PPHP, Mr. Counter served as a Trustee on 13 health and pension funds, as well as the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
Following his passing, his family released a statement saying that Nick, “considered his work with the industry health and pension plans to be his greatest achievement.”
Trustees and staff will greatly miss his wisdom, dedication and guidance that have helped to ensure the long term stability of the Pension and Health Plans.
December 2009
Medco Introduces Medco Health Store
Medco, the Health Plan’s pharmacy benefit provider, recently introduced Medco Health Store - their new online drugstore offering Health Plan participants the convenience of 24/7 access to a broad range of non-prescription items.
To access the Medco Health Store, login to your Medco account at www.medco.com, and follow the link to the Medco Health Store.
As an added incentive, if you place an order anytime between now and February 28, 2010, you will receive $10 off your order of $10 or more. Simply enter coupon code TENOFF at checkout to receive the discount. In addition, orders of $30 or more qualify for free standard shipping.
Additional information about the new Medco Health Store will be available in the Spring 2010 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.
December 2009
2010 Health Plan Minimum Earnings Requirement Announced
The minimum earnings thresholds to qualify for earned coverage have been established for four-quarter earnings periods beginning January 1, 2010 as follows:
- For the DGA Choice Plan, the minimum earnings requirement is $33,400; and
- For the DGA Premier Choice Plan, the minimum earnings requirement is $101,000.
For the first time, the Health Plan is applying the minimum earnings threshold to earning periods that start during a calendar year, rather than to benefit periods. The Board authorized this change so that participants would be aware of the applicable minimum earnings threshold while they are working to meet the minimum earnings, rather than after the fact.
Since the first earning period that is affected by the new minimum earnings threshold is the January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 earning period, the first benefit period that will be affected is the April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 benefit period.
For more information regarding this change, please refer to the Winter 2009 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.
November 2009
November 2009 Pension Plans Booklets Mailed Out
The November 2009 Pension Plans booklets, describing the wide range of retirement options available to DGA-Producer Pension Plans participants and their beneficiaries as of November 1, 2009 have been mailed to all Pension Plans participants.
Since the printing of the last booklet, the Board of Trustees has made several enhancements to the Pension Plans, including:
- An increase in the maximum allowable monthly Basic Plan benefit to $5,500;
- Acceptance of rollovers into the Supplemental Plan from eligible retirement plans;
- Payment of partial distributions from the Supplemental Plan; and
- Monthly Supplemental Plan valuations.
The electronic (PDF) version of the booklet is available here.
October 2009
Flu.gov is a Great Resource for Flu-Related Information
As we enter into flu season, you may be wondering what resources are available to help keep you and your family up to date on the latest flu-related news and information.
Good News: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created Flu.gov, a great "one-stop-shop" designed to bring you the latest info on H1N1 and seasonal flu.
Flu.gov provides information regarding H1N1 and seasonal flu, including symptoms and treatments, vaccines, tips for prevention, and live briefings. The site's content is updated daily.
Click the graphic above to visit Flu.gov.
April 2009
Board Expands Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses and Same-Sex Domestic Partners
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that effective April 1, 2009 the Plans have been amended to expand benefits for same-sex spouses and same-sex domestic partners. The Plans were amended to achieve parity to the fullest extent possible permitted by federal law.
Pension Plans changes include:
- Definition of participant-and-partner pension, spouse, same-sex spouse, and same-sex domestic partner;
- Required documentation;
- Default beneficiary provision; and
- Pre-retirement death benefit payment (10-year or 5-year vested participants).
Health Plan changes include:
- Definition of lawful spouse, same-sex spouse, and same-sex domestic partner;
- Required documentation;
- Open enrollment;
- Dependent children; and
- COBRA, self-pay and/or survivor benefits.
For a more detailed description of these changes and the exceptions to parity, please refer to the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.
April 2009
Supplemental Plan Retirement Application Deadline and 2009 Required Beginning Date Changed
Supplemental Plan Retirement Application Extended
Effective April 1, 2009, the Supplemental Plan retirement application deadline has been extended to allow participants to submit their completed applications as late as the last business day of the month prior to their retirement date. Applications received after the last business day of the month prior to retirement will be considered for the following month.
Supplemental Plan Required Beginning Date for 2009 Waived
The Supplemental Plan Required Beginning Date for 2009 was waived as a result of the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA). Participants who reach age 70½ during 2009 are not required to take their Supplemental Plan retirement distribution until December 1, 2010. Participants who turned age 70½ in 2008 were still required to take their 2008 retirement distribution by April 1, 2009, however, their required December 31, 2009 retirement distribution has been waived.
For more information regarding these changes, please refer to the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.
March 2009
Introducing Supplemental Pension Plan Partial Distributions
In their continuing effort to provide participants with a broad array of retirement options, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the establishment of a partial withdrawal option from the Supplemental Pension Plan.
Beginning April 1, 2009, retirees age 60-68 will have the ability to take partial distributions from their Supplemental Plan account. Previously, a participant was required to take the full amount of their Supplemental Account at the time of retirement, either in a lump sum payment, an annuity or a combination of the two.
Now, in addition to the lump sum or monthly annuity options, this new benefit will give retirees the option to elect to receive:
- partial distributions of $5,000 or more, no more than once per calendar quarter; or
- regular monthly distributions of $2,000 or more.
The balance of the participant's Supplemental Plan account will remain in their account until withdrawn by the participant or his or her beneficiaries. The balance will be subject to the investment gains or losses experienced by the Supplemental Plan.
For a more in-depth discussion of Supplemental Plan partial distributions, please refer to the Spring 2009 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.
March 2009
Board Announces Prescription Drug Plan Changes Effective April 1, 2009
The Board of Trustees has made changes to the Health Plan's prescription drug plan effective April 1, 2009.
Participant Pays the Difference Program
When a participant chooses to take a brand-name drug when a generic equivalent is available, the participant will pay the cost difference between the brand-name drug and the generic drug, plus the generic co-pay. This change in payment also applies even if your physician has indicated the brand-name drug on the prescription.
The Participant Pays the Difference
program applies only to generic
equivalents, where the drug is the exact
same drug certified by the FDA.
If you are using a brand-name drug that has no generic equivalent (like Lipitor) then this program will have no
effect on your co-pay. Further, if you are already using a
generic or switch to a generic before April 1, then your
co-pay will remain $10 for retail, and $25 for a 90-day
supply via mail order.
Proton Pump Inhibitors and Sleep Aides
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the production of stomach acid relating to heartburn and esophageal reflux.
Effective April 1, 2009, PPIs and sleep aides will be covered at 50% with a $40 minimum co-pay for retail and a $60 minimum co-pay for mail order. In addition, these drugs will be subject to Step Therapy.
Step Therapy
Step Therapy is a new program that encourages participants to try a proven, cost effective preferred drug before electing certain high-cost non-preferred brand-name drugs. By taking a “step” approach to your medications you will determine if a preferred drug works for you while avoiding a more costly treatment plan.
Non-Sedating Antihistamines
Non-sedating antihistamines are the next generation cold and allergy products that cause less drowsiness. Some common non-sedating antihistamines are Claritin®, Zyrtec® and Allegra®.
Due to the widespread availability and lower costs of a large number of over-the-counter non-sedating antihistamines, these drugs will no longer be covered under the pharmacy benefit plan. If you purchase one of these medications you will be responsible for the entire cost.
For a detailed description of the prescription drug plan changes effective April 1, 2009, please refer to the Spring 2009 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.
January 2009
MPTF Phasing Out Acute Care Hospital and Long-Term Care Unit in Favor of Community-Based Programs
The Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) announced a major realignment of resources under which the MPTF Hospital and the MPTF's long-term care facility will be phased out in favor of community-based programs aimed at assisting the growing number of seniors who prefer to live safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
This change does not affect the six MPTF health centers or the MPTF's independent- and assisted-living residential facilities.
For more information on this change, as well as the numerous services and programs offered to industry professionals by the MPTF, please go to the MPTF website.
December 2008
Board Announces Pension and Health Plan Changes Effective January 1, 2009
The Board of Trustees of the Pension and Health Plans has made changes to the Pension and Health Plans effective January 1, 2009, including nominal increases to the dependent premium and the Health Plan deductible as well as a change to some of the Basic Pension Plan's conversion factors.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Winter 2008 issue of Spotlight of Benefits.
December 2008
PacifiCare is becoming OptumHealth
PacifiCare Behavioral Health (PBH), the Health Plan’s mental health and chemical dependency benefit manager, is officially changing its name to OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (OptumHealth) in early 2009.
This name change will have no impact on Health Plan participants. You will continue to have access to high quality, responsive, and cost-effective care with OptumHealth.
During the transition period you may see and hear references to both OptumHealth and PBH in communications, however, this period of adjustment will have no effect on your benefits.
August 2008
Board Approves Additional Pension Benefits
As a sign of their commitment to current and future retirees, the Board of Trustees of the DGA-Producer Pension Plans has approved benefit increases in the form of a 13th check and an increase to the Basic Pension Plan's maximum monthly benefit.
See the Summer 2008 issue of Spotlight of Benefits for more information.
August 2008
No Change in 2009 Minimum Earnings Thresholds
The minimum earnings thresholds for health coverage benefit periods that begin in 2009 will remain unchanged from the current 2008 thresholds. Specifically, the 2008 and 2009 minimum earnings thresholds are:
- For DGA Choice coverage: $32,400
- For DGA Premier Choice coverage: $98,000.
The Health Plan's Board of Trustees evaluates the minimum earnings thresholds each year and, around August of each year, announces the minimum earnings thresholds for the upcoming year. The Board is not required to increase or decrease the minimum earnings threshold by any set percentage. If you ever have any questions regarding the Health Plan's minimum earnings thresholds, you can always check this website or call the Plan office.
For a detailed discussion of earnings periods, benefit periods and qualifying for health coverage, please refer to page 4 of the Spring 2006 issue of Spotlight on Benefits.