Spotlight on Benefits Newsletters

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Spotlight on Benefits Newsletters

Winter 2020 — Volume 28, Number 3

New Premium-Free Benefit Created for Eligible Participants. For those who Lost Earned Active Coverage on June 30th, September 30th or December 31st, 2020, the Board of Trustees has created the Bronze Plus Plan as an Alternative to COBRA Continuation Coverage.
COVID-19 Vaccine Availability and Distribution: What We Know So Far.
Incremental Increases to Earnings Threshold for Pension Plans’ Credited Service Months (CSMs).
Express Scripts’ Changes to List of Covered Medications Taking Effect January 1, 2021. The complete 2021 list of excluded medications along with preferred alternatives is available here.

	Fall 2020 — Volume 28, Number 2
	Getting Your Flu Shot is More Important Than Ever This Year Board of Trustees Approves Three Months of Premium-Free COBRA Coverage for Health Plan Participants with Earned Active Coverage Terminating September 30, 2020 Period of Premium-Free COBRA Coverage for Health Plan Participants with Earned Active Coverage That Terminated June 30, 2020 Extended Through December 31, 2020 Board of Trustees Increases Loan Limits from Your Supplemental Plan Account Through December 31, 2020	New Collective Bargaining Agreement Brings Increase in Employer Pension Contributions from 7% to 8% of Reportable Compensation, with the Additional 1% Allocated to the Basic Plan Effective July 1, 2020 Board of Trustees Approves Updates to the 2020 Pension and Health Plans Summary Plan Descriptions Express Scripts’ Mid-Year Changes to List of Covered Medications Take Effect July 1 Want to Know the Plans? Get to Know Our Website Combat Digital Eye Strain

	May 2020 — Special Edition
	Board Continues to Closely Monitor Impact of COVID-19 Crisis Three Months of Premium-Free COBRA Coverage Available to Health Plan Participants with Earned Active Coverage Terminating June 30, 2020 Deferral Period for April 1 Dependent Premium Payments Until July 1, 2020 Temporary Loans from Supplemental Plan Account Available from May 1 to July 31, 2020 Enroll in Direct Deposit to Ensure Uninterrupted Benefit Payments	Required Minimum Distributions from the Supplemental Plan Waived for the Remainder of 2020 Board of Trustees approves temporary Health Plan coverage changes in response to COVID-19 Government Extends Deadlines Related to Claims and Appeals, Special Enrollment and COBRA Where to Find Information and Assistance During the COVID-19 Crisis

	Spring 2020—Volume 28, Number 1
	Board of Trustees Approves Temporary Health Plan Coverage Changes in Response to COVID-19 Updated Pension and Health Summary Plan Descriptions Now Available Online and on myPHP Health Plan Summary Plan Description Corrections IMPORTANT: How Health Plan Eligibility Works	Non-Network Claims Can Now Be Submitted Online at Anthem.com If Orthopedic Surgery Is Your First Course of Treatment, Request a Predetermination of Medical Necessity to Avoid Unexpected Costs Important Considerations While Reviewing Your Pension Plans Annual Statement 2019 Annual Funding Notice
	Winter 2019—Volume 27, Number 4
	Board of Trustees Announces Improved Vision Benefits and Other Changes to the Pension and Health Plans, Effective January 1, 2020 Board of Trustees Announces Improved Vision Benefits Board of Trustees Approve Health Plan Eligibility Changes, Effective January 1, 2020 New Premium Tier for Retiree Spouses Under Age 60 Clarification on Interest Paid on Pension Benefits Underpayments Board of Trustees Continues Its Efforts to Further Strengthen the Basic Plan	Express Scripts Updates Its List of Covered Medications How Coordination of Benefits Works All-Inclusive Out-of-Pocket Limits Increase, Effective January 1, 2020 as Established Under the Affordable Care Act Coordination of Benefits Form Is Required When You Are Covered By the Health Plan Women’s Health and Cancer Rights 2018 Summary Annual Report
	Fall 2019—Volume 27, Number 3
	How to Get Your Coverage Cards on Your Smartphone Watch Out for Foods That May Interact With Your Medication Special Discounts, Exclusively for Health Plan Participants	WalMart and Sam’s Club Join the Health Plan’s Vision Network Beginning October 1, 2019 HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices Health Fairs this Fall in LA & NYC
	Summer 2019—Volume 27, Number 2
	Happy 50th Birthday to the DGA-Producer Health Plan! Pre-Authorization for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Is Required for Some Services and Helps Avoid Unexpected Out-of-Pocket Costs All Non-Network Claims Now Processed by Anthem Blue Cross	Board of Trustees Continues Its Focus on Strengthening the Basic Pension Plan Your Guide to Healthy Summer Skin Express Scripts Changes Its List of Covered Medications Ditching the Car This Summer? How to Keep Safe on the Road
	Spring 2019—Volume 27, Number 1
	New, Easier Access to Diabetic Supplies at No Cost The Opioid Crisis-What You Should Know Jack H. Skirball Health Center Has Moved to Calabasas Planning a Nasal Surgery? Request a Predetermination to Estimate Coverage	Mental Health Benefits: Understanding Coverage for Therapy Treatment RX Programs Update: Health Plan Will Not Participate in the Medicare Part B Program Health Plan Booklet Language Changes: Preventive Care
	Winter 2018—Volume 26, Number 5
	A Guide to Flu Vaccinations Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Health Fair Recap A Guide to the Shingles Vaccine	Tackle Your New Year’s Resolutions Timely Filing Extended to 180 Days All-Inclusive Network Limit Increases January 1
	November 2018 Special Rx Edition—Volume 26, Number 4
	List of Drugs Requiring Prior Authorization or Step Therapy Expanded Certain Prescriptions Must Be Obtained from Accredo Specialty Pharmacy	Express Scripts Updates Its List of Covered Medications Manage Your Prescriptions with the Express Scripts Mobile App
	Fall 2018—Volume 26, Number 3
	Minimum Earnings Threshold for Health Plan Coverage Adjusted to $35,000 for Earning Periods on or after January 1, 2019 Discontinuation of Coverage for Intranasal Corticosteroids and Medical Foods	What Is IV Therapy? Is It a Covered Benefit? Phishing, Spoofing and SMiShing Conventional or 3-D Mammograms: Which is the better choice for you?
	Summer 2018—Volume 26, Number 2
	The Essential Documents: Get them in and keep them updated Express Scripts Updates Its List of Covered Medications Roll Funds Into Your Supplemental Plan Account Is It Time for Your Annual Physical? How to Dispose of Unused Medications	Understanding the Difference Between Credited Service Months (CSMs) and Earned Coverage Years (ECYs) The Importance of Reviewing Your Quarterly Contributions Statements UCLA/MPTF Health Centers Insert Clarification of Chemical Dependency Benefits Under the Health Plan
	Spring 2018—Volume 26, Number 1
	Board of Trustees Continues Efforts to Further Strengthen Basic Pension Plan 2017 Annual Funding Notice Insert New Coordination of Benefits Policy For the Aging, MPTF Offers Services Nationwide	Changes to Disability Claims and Appeals Procedure Managing Seasonal Allergies How Your Health Plan Works: Knowing what counts as medically necessary helps avoid unforeseen costs

Volume 25, Number 4	Winter 2017
Volume 25, Number 3	Fall 2017
Volume 25, Number 2	Summer 2017
Volume 25, Number 1	Spring 2017
Volume 24, Number 3	Winter 2016
Volume 24, Number 2	Summer 2016
Volume 24, Number 1	Spring 2016
Volume 23, Number 3	Winter 2015
Volume 23, Number 2	Fall 2015
Volume 23, Number 1	Spring 2015
Volume 22, Number 3	Winter 2014
Volume 22, Number 2	Summer 2014
Volume 22, Number 1	Spring 2014
Benefits Bulletin	December 2013
Volume 21, Number 3	Fall 2013
Volume 21, Number 2	Summer 2013
Volume 21, Number 1	Spring 2013