Benefits, Coverage and Eligibility
Initial Eligibility
The earnings minimum requirement for one year of Health Fund coverage is equal to the current Writers Guild of America minimum for a one hour network prime-time story and teleplay. Earnings minimums will increase with any increase in the Guild minimum provided by the collective bargaining agreement.
MINIMUM EARNINGS REQUIREMENT FOR
EMPLOYER PAID ELIGIBILITY 1
| DATE (MM/DD/YY) |
QUARTER (YY/Q) |
EARNINGS MINIMUM |
|---|---|---|
09/01/79 |
79/3 |
$4,000 |
01/01/80 |
80/1 |
$5,000 |
04/01/86 |
86/2 |
$10,940 |
04/01/87 |
87/2 |
$11,596 |
10/01/88 |
88/4 |
$12,176 |
10/01/89 |
89/4 |
$12,724 |
04/01/91 |
91/2 |
$13,296 |
07/01/92 |
92/3 |
$13,894 |
07/01/93 |
93/3 |
$14,519 |
07/01/94 |
94/3 |
$15,172 |
07/01/95 |
95/3 |
$15,627 |
07/01/96 |
96/3 |
$16,096 |
07/01/97 |
97/3 |
$16,579 |
07/01/98 |
98/3 |
$17,076 |
07/01/99 |
99/3 |
$17,588 |
07/01/00 |
00/3 |
$18,160 |
07/01/01 |
01/3 |
$18,659 |
07/01/02 |
02/3 |
$19,125 |
07/01/03 |
03/3 |
$28,833* |
01/01/05 |
05/1 |
$29,482 |
01/01/06 |
06/1 |
$30,145 |
01/01/07 |
07/1 |
$30,823 |
04/01/08 |
08/2 |
$31,748 |
07/01/09 |
09/3 |
$32,700 |
07/01/10 |
10/3 |
$33,681 |
07/01/11 |
11/3 |
$34,355 |
07/01/12 |
12/3 |
$34,956 |
07/01/13 |
13/3 |
$35,568 |
07/01/14 |
14/3 |
$36,457 |
07/01/15 |
15/3 |
$37,368 |
07/01/16 |
16/3 |
$38,302 |
07/01/17 |
17/3 |
$38,685 |
07/01/18 |
18/3 |
$39,072 |
07/01/19 |
19/3 |
$39,463 |
07/01/20 |
20/3 |
$39,858 |
07/01/21 |
21/3 |
$40,854 |
07/01/22 |
22/3 |
$41,773 |
01/01/24 |
24/1 |
$43,862 |
07/01/24 |
24/3 |
$45,397 |
1 Prior to 77/3, if contributions received are less than $4,000.00 and greater than $2,000.00, six (6) months of eligibility is earned.
* Subject to possible change per Article 17 of the 2011 MBA.
* The minimum earnings requirement amount is based upon the minimum fee (according to the MBA) for a ½ hour prime-time story & teleplay through June 30, 2003. Effective July 1, 2003, the minimum is based upon the fee for a one hour prime-time story & teleplay.
When Coverage Begins
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 satisfy the earnings requirement in: |
Your coverage period will be: |
Earnings Cycle for continued coverage: |
|---|---|---|
|
1st quarter of 2022 (Jan, Feb, Mar) |
July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 |
April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023 |
|
2nd quarter of 2022 (Apr, May, June) |
October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 |
July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 |
|
3rd quarter of 2022 (Jul, Aug, Sept) |
January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 |
October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 |
|
4th quarter of 2022 (Oct, Nov, Dec) |
April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024 |
January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 |
|
1st quarter of 2023 (Jan, Feb, Mar) |
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 |
April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024 |
|
2nd quarter of 2023 (Apr, May, June) |
October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 |
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 |
|
3rd quarter of 2023 (Jul, Aug, Sept) |
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 |
October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 |
When Eligibility Terminates
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 Excess Earnings Program (also known as the $250k extension), the Extended Coverage Program or the COBRA The acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 which allows for the purchase of coverage after loss of eligibility due to certain qualifying events. For more information on these programs, see the Extended Coverage section.
Once your eligibility terminates, you can reestablish eligibility by satisfying the earnings requirements as described in the above section entitled "initial eligibility".
Dependents
If you have dependents, you may add your eligible dependents (click to view chart) to your plan. The Fund requires that you pay a dependent premium of $150 per quarter ($50 per month) to cover all of your eligible dependents. Your dependents must be added to your plan within 30 days of your coverage effective date (except in the instance of a life eventLife events are certain occurrences that will allow you to enroll your dependent(s) without waiting until the Fund's next Open Enrollment.).
Coverage for your dependents up to age 26
Effective as of January 1, 2012, the Fund will extended coverage to a participant'sAn individual or that individual's spouse, dependent children who meet(s) the eligibility requirements established by the Fund. eligible children up to the end of the month in which the child attains age 26. Coverage is available whether the child is married or unmarried* regardless of student status, employment status, eligibility for other health insurance, financial dependency on the participant, or any other factor other than the relationship between the child and the participant.
If your child has other group health insurance coverage, including coverage through an employer, the Fund will consider that other coverage to be primary and the Fund's coverage for such child will be secondary.
Your eligible unmarried children over age 26 who are incapable of self-sustaining employment because of mental retardation or physical handicap remain eligible under the same conditions as set forth in the SPD, provided that the disability and the child's coverage began before he or she reached the age of 26.
Please note, dependent coverage is not effective until the premium payment is received. After your initial payment is received you will be invoiced for all subsequent premiums due. Invoices are mailed out approximately 30 days prior to the due date; premium due dates are December 20th, March 20th, June 20th and September 20th.
| Dependents Eligible for Coverage | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
| Lawful Spouse | A completed Dependent Enrollment Form  and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. |
|
Dependent Children up to age 26 |
A completed Dependent Enrollment Form |
| Adoption/Guardianship | A completed Dependent Enrollment Form and a copy of the adoption/release papers, guardianship or placement papers issued by a court of law. |
| Mental and Physical Handicapped Dependents age 26 and older |
A completed Dependent Enrollment Form and a completed Disability Application along with any other proof of incapacity including medical records and a statement of financial support. |
The Fund requires that you pay a dependent premium of $150 per quarter ($50 per month) to cover all of your eligible dependents. Your dependents must be added to your plan within 30 days of your coverage effective date (except in the instance of a life event (learn more). To add your dependent(s), simply complete the Dependent Enrollment Form , attach all required documentation and include payment for at least one quarter (3 months). Note: If your dependent child is married, coverage will not be extended to the child's spouse or children.