June 26, 2020
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) news is changing rapidly, almost hour by hour. The purpose of this email is to inform you of additional steps the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPIHP) has taken to help Participants and dependents deal with this current health crisis. Feel free to share any of the following with your members.
Waiver of Health Premium
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 of the MPIHP 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.
No-Cost COBRA for Benefit Period of September 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021
Over the past few months, Participants who meet certain conditions have been provided with additional hours to allow them to meet the minimum hours necessary to qualify for eligibility as an Active Participant through MPIHP. These included providing Participants with eligibility for the following Benefit Periods: June 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020; July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020; and August 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021.
The Board of Directors of MPIHP has enacted another measure that will provide Active Health Plan eligibility to certain Participants – no-cost COBRA coverage for certain Participants for the benefit period of September 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021 so long as certain conditions are met.
Specifically, for Active Participants in the 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 in order to qualify for the special one-time benefit.
Sincerely,
David Asplund
Chief Executive Officer
