On this page: Initial Eligibility, When Coverage Begins, When Eligibility Terminates, Dependents

To become eligible for benefits provided by this Fund you must have accumulated and had reported to the Fund (by your signatory employer) covered earnings of at least $30,145 (as of January 1, 2006) during a period of four or fewer consecutive calendar quarters. This amount will increase in 2007 to $30,823. This amount of covered earnings is equal to the Writers Guild of America minimum for a one hour network prime-time story and teleplay.

This amount will increase with any increase in the Guild minimum provided by the collective bargaining agreement.

Because of the time needed to receive and process earnings reports, there is a three month (one calendar quarter) lag period between your satisfying the earnings requirement and commencement of coverage. Once your coverage begins, it remains in effect for 12 consecutive months (four consecutive calendar quarters).

The following chart shows when coverage will begin based upon when the earnings requirement is satisfied, and the four quarter earnings cycle in which the earnings requirement must be satisfied in order to maintain continued coverage:

If you do not satisfy the earnings requirement within the appropriate four quarter earnings cycle, your coverage will end on the last day of the 12 month period during which you were eligible for coverage.

If your eligibility terminates, you may be able to continue coverage under the Extended Coverage Program, banked coverage as a result of enrollment in the medical HMO or the Continuation Coverage Program (COBRA)

Once your eligibility terminates, you can reestablish eligibility by satisfying the earnings requirements as described in the above section entitled “initial eligibility”.

• Your lawful spouse
• Each unmarried lawful child under the age of 19
• Each unmarried child between the ages of 19 and 23, who are full-time students
• Unmarried children over the age of 19 who are incapable of self-sustaining employment.
• Same Sex Domestic Partners

Due to ever increasing health care costs, changes have been made to improve the financial security of the Health Fund. One of those changes, effective July 1st, 2003 was a $50 per month dependent premium. Dependent premiums are payable quarterly and must be paid in advance. Dependents are: your spouse or same-sex domestic partner, your children and/or other eligible dependents (please refer to your SPD for a description of eligible dependents under the Health Fund). This premium covers all your dependents regardless of number.

When Will You Receive A Bill?

You will receive an invoice about 30 days prior to the due date. Please review your invoice carefully, only the dependents listed on the invoice will be covered. If your dependent information is incorrect, please contact the Fund immediately. If, in the future, you gain or lose a dependent through birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, age ineligibility, or death, please notify the Fund within 30 days of the event.

Please refer to the chart below for the dependent premium due dates.

Premium Due Date	For Eligibility Quarter
June 20	July 1 through September 30
September 19	October 1 through December 31
December 19	January 1 through March 31
March 20	April 1 through June 30

You may pay premiums for more than one quarter at a time, if you wish. If payments are not received by the due date indicated on your invoice, dependent coverage will be terminated

If You Are A Certified Retiree With Dependents

If you have been deemed a Certified Retiree by the Fund and are between the ages of 60 and 64, you are required to pay the dependent premium regardless of the type of coverage you have (retiree or earned). Once you turn 65 the following rules apply:

If you are on earned coverage - you will be required to pay the dependent premium

If you are on Certified Retiree coverage - you will be exempt from the dependent premium

If You Choose Not To Cover Your Dependents

Should you decide not to continue coverage for your dependents, please let us know by completing and returning the declination form included with your premium invoice. Please note: By declining dependent coverage you will not be able to reinstate your dependent(s) coverage until the Fund's annual open enrollment period in the fall for coverage changes effective January 1st of the following year.

Special Enrollment

If you decline enrollment for your dependents (including your spouse) because of other insurance coverage, you may in the future be able to enroll your dependents in the Health Fund, without waiting until the next Open Enrollment, provided that you request enrollment within 30 days after the other coverage ends. In addition, if you have a new dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, placement for adoption, or guardianship, you may be able to enroll your dependents provided that you request enrollment within 30 days after the marriage, birth, adoption, placement for adoption or guardianship.

Please contact the Health Fund with questions regarding the dependent premium.