Background Information
The Entertainment industry Flex Plan was established in 1985 to provide Health and related benefits for “Daily-Hire” Union employees working under Collective Bargaining Agreements in the Entertainment Industry.
The Flex Plan provides benefits to more than 33,000 union members Nationwide. The companion plan to the Flex Plan is the Entertainment Industry 401(k) Plan.
Plan Overview
The Entertainment Industry Flex Plan is an employee benefit plan which combines both Employer Contributions and employee Contributions to fund a full array of benefits, including welfare benefits such as medical, disability, life insurance and dependent care assistance.
One of the major advantages to using benefits through the Flex Plan is that the benefits received are not subject to income tax. In simple terms, $100 of contributions can buy about $125 in benefits (subject to your individual tax level). The Flex Plan covers each employee who is employed by an Employer who has entered into a Labor Agreement with a Union providing benefits through the Flex Plan.
You may choose to have the Employer Contributions in your account applied under the Flex Plan toward the cost of one or more of the following benefits: Medical Insurance Premiums from one of the following sources:
- Group insurance covereage offered through the Flex Plan
- You may be reimbursed for premiums you pay for coverage through another employer or union’s plan
- You may be reimbursed for group insurance premiums your spouse pays to cover you and your dependents from their employer
- You may be reimbursed for Medicare Premiums (for yourself)
Dental Insurance Premiums
- You may elect coverage from the Flex Plan Group Provider
- The Flex Plan can pay an individual policy you may hold
Vision Insurance Premiums
- You may elect coverage from the Flex Plan Group Provider
Disability Insurance Premiums
- All eligible participants are automatically enrolled under Disability Insurance through the Flex Plan Group Provider
- The Flex Plan can pay an individual policy you may hold
- You may be reimbursed for a Disability Policy you may hold
Group Term Life Insurance Premiums
- You may select coverage from the Flex Plan Group Provider at $20,000 and $50,000 levels
Medical Expense Reimbursement
- If you are covered by group insurance, you may be reimbursed on a monthly basis (subject to your eligibility) for the following types of expenses: deductibles and co-payments for your medical plan, amounts over your medical plan’s maximum limit, visits to a doctor or clinic, expenses that may not be covered by your insurance plan (for example: eyeglasses, prescription contact lenses, dental exams, dental work and much more), prescription drugs not covered by insurance, counseling services: psychiatrist, psychologist, drug or alcohol abuse, impotency and infertility, birth control pills or other prescribed birth control items, acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic services, even Flex Plan administrative and check fees.
Dependent Care Assistance (Child Care, up to $5,000 per year)