Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2016 | SAG-AFTRA 23 • Eligible SAG, AFTRA and SAG-AFTRA earnings will be combined to meet earnings thresholds in the new SAG-AFTRA Health Plan. • Family coverage is available at all qualifying levels. • Premiums at all levels stay the same as under the Screen Actors Guild plan. • The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan will offer two levels of coverage: Plan I and Plan II, each with separate benefits and earnings thresholds to qualify. • Mental health and substance abuse benefits — including mental health prescription drug benefits — are included in both Plan I and Plan II. • Dental coverage is comprehensive and includes fillings, root canals, crowns, etc. • Within MPTF/UCLA Health Industry Network, all deductible levels stay the same as under the Screen Actors Guild plan. • There is no office visit deductible after applying the copay for routine medical visits to in-network providers. • Certain copays have been eliminated. • The prescription drug deductible has decreased for Plan I participants. • Eligibility is $17,000 for Plan II and $33,000 for Plan I. This increase is due to the constantly rising cost of health care. The overall cost is offset by the ability to combine earnings, the continuation of premiums, and the elimination of some copays and deductibles. Visit sagaftrahealth.org for details. SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Highlights "This is incredibly good news for all of our members …" -DAVID WHITE Carteris in a message to members. For members who work as performers, the most significant difference with the new health plan is that earnings will be combined for eligibility. "This is incredibly good news for all of our members and particularly for those who have had to contend with the debilitating reality of having their earnings split between two separate health plans. For many, this meant not reaching the minimum earnings threshold to qualify for participation in either plan. Having a single, merged health plan will end this problem," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. Merging the health plans was one of the goals of merger, but extensive study was needed before the process of unifying the plans and funds could begin. That's because the plans are separate from the union and not administered by the union; the boards of trustees are comprised of representatives of labor and the employers who contribute to the plans. In designing a new plan to meet the needs of a merged union, trustees had the twin goals of maintaining a high level of health care for members and creating a plan that would be financially stable. The merger of the AFTRA and SAG plans expands the contribution base of both funds, reduces per capita administrative expenses and enhances the long-term sustainability of the funds. A website, sagaftrahealth.org, has been set up to help members get acquainted with the plan. It contains information for those currently enrolled in the SAG and AFTRA plans, as well as frequently