Summer 2019 Issue of Spotlight on Benefits Available Now
The Summer 2019 issue of the Pension and Health Plans’ newsletter, Spotlight on Benefits, is now available.
In this issue:
Read important reminders and notifications:
- For some inpatient, residential and intensive outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, the Health Plan requires that medical necessity be determined via a pre-authorization before the service is rendered. Pre-authorization helps you anticipate your out-of-pocket responsibility for these services.
- Effective June 10, 2019, all non-network claims should be submitted to Anthem Blue Cross and will be processed by the Health Plan.
- Effective July 1, 2019, for the Basic, FLTTA and Network Agreements, and effective December 1, 2019 for the Commercial Agreement, the Employer contribution rate for the Pension Plans has increased from 6.5% to 7.0%. As part of its continuing efforts to strengthen the Basic Plan, the Board of Trustees has allocated the additional 0.5% to the Basic Plan.
- Effective July 1, 2019, Express Scripts, the Health Plan’s prescription drug benefit manager, revised its list of covered medications, called the National Preferred Formulary. If you are currently taking a medication that is excluded from the revised formulary, Express Scripts should have already notified you via email with information on alternatives.
- Updating your personal and contact information with the DGA does not update your information at the Plans’ office. To ensure your pension and health benefits information is mailed to the proper address, contact the Plans’ Address Change Department at (323) 866-2200, Ext. 407.
Also included:
- Tips for keeping your skin healthy in the summer sun. Having a good skin care regimen and wearing daily sunscreen can go a long way to protect against premature aging of the skin and to ensure a healthy and happy summer.
- Reminders on how to stay safe on the road when you’re biking, scootering, skate boarding, or roller skating. Following these simple safety guidelines—like wearing a helmet and obeying all traffic laws—will help prevent injury to others and will go a long way towards ensuring a safe and happy summer.
- A Save the Date for this year’s annual health fairs and flu shot clinics. The events will be held on October 5 in Los Angeles and October 19 in New York City and will include free flu shots, giveaways, benefits information from the experts and free neck and shoulder massages. Reservations are required for the flu shots.
Read the full newsletter here.
