Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1325752
T he cost of healthcare in the United States is skyrocketing — for individuals and families, and for those providing coverage. Since the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan began operating in 2017, costs have continued to rise at astronomical rates, and the trustees developed a strategy to keep the Health Plan strong and industry-leading. The majority of Health Plan participants will continue to receive superior coverage under the Health Plan with minimal changes. While this does mean that some are losing coverage under the Health Plan, those participants will have options for continued health coverage under COBRA or the Affordable Care Act. The Plan's Senior Performers will continue to have primary coverage under Medicare, as they do now, and they can find options for secondary coverage after Medicare (or comprehensive Medicare Advantage Plans) through Via Benefits, with the Health Fund providing a health reimbursement account to cover eligible out-of-pocket expenses. This article serves as a brief summary of the changes to the Health Plan that became effective Jan. 1, 2021. For more information, please visit the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan website or call (800) 777-4013. Two health plans sponsored by the SAG-AFTRA Health Fund Board of Trustees became effective Jan. 1, 2021 — the Active Plan, which is the existing SAG-AFTRA Health Plan with the modifications described below, and a new retiree-only health reimbursement account plan, called the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Senior Performers Health Reimbursement Account Plan. SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Active Plan This Plan will continue to provide industry-leading coverage for active members. Benefits include coverage of virtual visits with health care providers, access to the RxSavings program that can help participants and their dependents save money on prescription drugs, CVS Caremark programs that help those with chronic and serious diseases manage their care, specialty drugs with no cost-share, and no cost-share for ACA preventive care services like the COVID-19 vaccine and annual physicals. The new earnings threshold for the Active Plan is $25,950 in Health Plan Rolls Out Two Plans for 2021 Continues on page 34