Earnings Minimum Increase Notice
Effective January 1, 2024, the earnings minimum to qualify for
health coverage is $43,862.
Click HERE to learn more.
UPDATE: HEALTH COVERAGE CONTINUATION
This is an update to our prior communication, and includes an FAQ link for additional information.
The WGA and the AMPTP have agreed, and the Board has approved, that an additional quarter of health coverage (including the dependent premium) will be provided at no cost to all Participants who would otherwise lose eligibility immediately following an earnings cycle that included all or a portion of the strike period (i.e., an earnings cycle that ended or will end on June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, or June 30, 2024) will also receive the same benefits. There is nothing you need to do or pay. Coverage will be extended (including payment for dependents), automatically.
Participants who are on COBRA that is expiring on October 1, 2023. If you are among this population, you may opt to extend coverage for up to one more quarter, though that will not be subsidized and you will have to pay the full amount due for each additional month you wish to be covered, up to one quarter. If you elect this additional COBRA coverage, all you have to do is remit payment.
If a Participant has 10 or more banked points as of October 1, 2023, they must use their banked points for this extended quarter
in accordance with the Extended Coverage program.
To learn more about the health coverage extension agreement, click HERE.
Annual Funding Notice
The government requires the Pension Plan publish a document in a government-prescribed format about the condition and finances of your Pension Plan. If you would like to see that document, please click here.
The bottom line is that the Pension Plan is healthy and in the green zone.
Electronic Claim Submissions
Out-of-Network claims (OON) often result in reams of paperwork and multiple forms that have to be filled out precisely. If an item is inadvertently left blank, or if additional information is needed, letters go back and forth. It can take months to get a single transaction completed.
We’ve been working with our providers to improve the process, and you can now handle OON claims electronically. To learn more, click HERE.
YOU CAN NO LONGER USE EXPRESS SCRIPTS FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS AT KROGER
Beginning January 1, 2023, Express Scripts opted not to renew their deal with Kroger. This means you will no longer be able to obtain your prescriptions at Kroger's. Walgreens and all the other establishments in the Express Scripts network are still available to you.
Effective January 1, 2023 the Board of Trustees of the Writers’ Guild-Industry Health Fund has amended the Health Plan to cover pregnancy termination services for Dependent Children even when not the result of complications from pregnancy. This includes reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses to receive pregnancy termination services for those residing in a state where pregnancy termination is illegal.
To learn more, click HERE.
Palliative Care Now Available
The PWGA, working with the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF), now offers palliative care for Participants and their dependents. Unlike hospice care which deals only with end-of-life, palliative care is for those who need assistance with serious, chronic and life-limiting conditions at any stage of their illness. Palliative Care takes an inter¬disciplinary approach to assist patients in every aspect of their lives, thereby improving their quality of life and aiding in their recovery.
To find out more, you can contact the MPTF at: (323) 634-3888, or click here.
The PWGA App is Now Available!
Also, Big Changes to MyPlans on the PWGA Website!For the very first time, you can access Health and Pension Plan information through an app on your favorite mobile device whether it be your phone or tablet. We have updated the website and made MyPlans significantly more capable and secure as well. One registration, two great ways to see your information.
didyouknow
Electronic Claim Submissions
April 14, 2023
Out-of-Network claims (OON) often result in reams of paperwork and multiple forms that have to be filled out precisely. If an item is inadvertently left blank, or if additional information is needed, letters go back and forth. It can take months to get a single transaction completed. We’ve been working with our providers to improve the process, and you can now handle OON claims electronically.
didyouknow
Out of the Country Claims
April 06, 2023
Out of the country medical claims often result in reams of paperwork and multiple forms that have to be filled out precisely. If an item is
inadvertently left blank, or if additional information is needed, letters go back and forth. It can take months to get a single transaction completed. We’ve been working with our providers to improve the process, and you can now handle these claims electronically.