Today at the MPIPHP, two motions were approved. The first motion is to continue coverage for the December 22, 2019 to June 20, 2020 qualifying period.

This will extend benefits from September 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021.

We have reached the three-month period since the shut down and to maintain reserve monies, the formula will change.

The second motion was to approve waiving the third quarter premium copays for dependents.

Special COBRA Coverage:

For Active Participants in the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (“MPIHP”) (excluding those currently on COBRA and those enrolled as Disabled) who are currently enrolled and whose Benefit Period ends on August 31, 2020, the MPIHP will grant up to six (6) months of special no-cost COBRA coverage for the Benefit Period commencing September 1, 2020, provided that such currently enrolled Participant has at least 100 worked and/or banked hours combined, but less than the 400 worked and/or banked hours combined required to gain eligibility for the Benefit Period commencing September 1, 2020 to and including February 28, 2021.

No-cost shall mean that the standard COBRA premiums will be waived during the applicable Benefit Period; however, payment of the premiums otherwise due under the MPIHP for Active Participants will be required.

All of the Participant’s banked hours and worked hours for the Qualifying Period from December 22, 2019 to June 20, 2020 will be applied to the Benefit Period of September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 prior to the granting of the

special no-cost COBRA coverage, and no hours will be retained in the Participant’s Bank of Hours. Participants will be required to complete a COBRA enrollment form with MPIHP by August 31, 2020. 

Premium Waiver:

Due to the COVID-19 national health emergency, beginning with payments due by June 30, 2020, the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan will grant a waiver of one (1) quarter (three consecutive months) of dependent eligibility premium payment for health benefits to each Active Health Plan Participant in the group owing $25 per month for one dependent or $50 per month for two or more dependents who was enrolled on June 1, 2020. Active Health Plan Participants in the group subject to premium payments for themselves along with their dependents are not included in this waiver.

Further, there will be no refunds, and anyone who has already paid a premium for the applicable period will be issued a credit for a future premium payment period.

Our goal since March was to keep as many members in the Industry Health Plan covered. 

It cannot be stressed enough that through this crisis, you must continue to monitor your health. If you had previously scheduled medical procedures that were cancelled due to COVID-19, it has been cleared to reschedule these procedures. It is also critical that if you sense a catastrophic event, that you get yourself to an ER. 

Many people have ignored symptoms for fear of going to an ER during this time. L.A. area hospitals have isolated their COVID-19 patients and have initiated protocols for their inpatient, outpatient, and ER admissions.

This is a growing concern, not just in Los Angeles, but across the United States. 

Earlier this week, an eblast was sent out that covered this topic. Here is the citation and link to the information used: 

https://time.com/5857154/coronavirus-heart-attacks-strokes/