Enhanced Delta Dental Coverage - Motion Picture Industry Pension

update
plan
U p d a t e
t o
Yo u r
S u m m a r y
P l a n
D e s c r i p t i o n
Enhanced Delta Dental Coverage
The Board of Directors of the Motion Picture Industry Pension
& Health Plans recently approved certain enhancements to the
Health Plan’s Delta Dental Coverage. Effective January 1, 2014,
specified Diagnostic and Preventive benefits are now covered
at 100% (after your deductible) when you receive treatment
from a Delta Dental PPO Dentist. Benefit changes approved for
services provided by Delta Dental Premier and Non-Delta
Dental dentists will be effective July 1, 2014.
continued on page 4
This Plan Update contains important information about your rights under the Motion
Picture Industry Pension, Individual Account and Health Plans under ERISA. Please
keep it with your Summary Plan Descriptions for future reference.
april 2014
update
p l a n
Motion Picture Industry
Pension & Health Plans
Welcomes New CEO
Julia Nicholson
Plan Update is published for Participants
of the Motion Picture Industry Pension
& Health Plans. This newsletter contains
important information, including changes
to the Plans and your benefits. Please
keep it with your Summary Plan Descriptions
for future reference.
Please note that as a result of unique
agreements associated with mergers
of various Locals throughout the years,
information reflected in this newsletter
may not apply to all Participants.
Contact Us
Participant Services Center
E-mail
service@mpiphp.org
Phone
Call toll-free
(855) ASK-4MPI
Ms. Nicholson is a seasoned executive with experience guiding
and overseeing plans like MPIPHP. Formerly, Ms. Nicholson
served as a consultant for William M. Mercer, Inc., CEO of
Central Valley Schools Health and Welfare Trust (a Taft-Hartley
plan serving school districts in California), and SVP of Labor
Relations for Keenan & Associates (an insurance brokerage
and consulting firm specializing in benefits for school districts).
She is the instructor on Board Governance for the Certificate
of Achievement in Public Plan Policy (CAPPP) program of the
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
and is a regular speaker on board governance and employee
benefits for the IFEPB.
“I am honored to join MPIPHP,” Ms. Nicholson says. “I look
forward to serving all those associated with MPIPHP and
continuing its legacy of making a significant difference in the lives
of our Participants.”
Fax
(818) 766-1229 (CA)
(212) 634-4952 (NY)
Web site
Ms. Nicholson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Administration from University of Missouri and a Master of
Business Administration degree from University of Denver.
www.mpiphp.org
Mailing Address
MPIPHP
P.O. Box 1999
Studio City, CA 91614-0999
A New Name for MPI’s
Newsletter
Office Locations
11365 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
Hours: 8 am to 5 pm (Pacific Time)
145 Hudson Street, Suite 6-A
New York, NY 10013-2103
Main Phone (212) 634-5252
Toll Free
(888) 758-5200
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm (Eastern Time)
© 2014 MPIPHP
2
The Board of Trustees of the Motion Picture Industry Pension
& Health Plans (MPIPHP) recently appointed Julia Nicholson
Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Ms. Nicholson served as Vice
President of Operations for UFCW & Employers Trust, LLC, an
entity based in Walnut Creek, California, that administers
two health and welfare plans and four pension plans and provides
benefits to over 120,000 members. For 22 years, MPI has shared benefits
changes and important information
with you in our For Your Benefit and
Plan Update publications. Now, that’s
about to change, with a re-fresh of
the publication’s title. Beginning
with our next issue, FYI from MPI will
offer you the same, vital healthcare
and pension-related content under a
new name and banner.
Stay tuned for the unveiling…
plan update
Important Changes to Your
Prescription Drug Coverage in 2014
W
hile the cost of many brand-name prescription
drugs continues to rise, generic drugs have
never been so widely available to treat
medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or high
blood pressure, and using generics helps reduce your
prescription costs.
Managed by Express Scripts and in accordance with
the findings of a national panel of physicians and
pharmacists, your MPI prescription benefit takes
advantage of these options in 2014 by replacing some
brand-name drugs with medically comparable, but more
affordable generics.
January 1, 2014
Some Drugs Become “Non-Preferred”
Effective January 1, 2014, some drugs you take may cost
you more because they are considered “non-preferred.”
If you are taking one of these medications, Express Scripts
will send you a letter so you can decide whether to take
action. Your doctor may choose to prescribe another
medication that is preferred and is proven to be effective.
To see which medications are considered preferred as
of January 1, 2014, please visit Express Scripts online at
www.express-scripts.com/covered.
changes, and if necessary, get a new prescription for a
safe, effective and covered alternative. Visit Express
Scripts online at www.express-scripts.com, login, click on
“Health Benefits Information” on the menu at the top
of the page, and select “Learn About Formularies” from
the drop down menu. Then, search your medication
by name or category, and determine whether the drug
is preferred or non-preferred.
Additionally, to ensure that your prescription
maintenance medications are covered, sign up for
Express Scripts home delivery pharmacy services,
and let Express Scripts deliver a 90-day supply right
to your home.
For more information, call Express Scripts Member
Services at 1 (800) 987-5247.
April 1, 2014
Some Drugs No Longer Covered
Beginning April 1, 2014, non-preferred medication
will be no longer covered, and if you try to fill this type
of prescription, you may be required to pay the full,
non-discounted retail price.
Two Ways to Save in 2014
To avoid paying more for your medications in 2014,
speak with your doctor about the 2014 drug list
MPTF Closes Glendale Health Center
The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) closed its Glendale Health
Center on January 17, 2014, due to under-utilization, and the Glendale
physicians have relocated to other MPTF health centers. If you are a former
Glendale Health Center patient, you can utilize the Toluca Lake Health
Center, conveniently located near the studios and other entertainment
industry workplaces in the Burbank area.
april 2014 3
MPI’s Most Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers
Enhanced Delta Dental Coverage
continued from page 1
Here are the quick and easy answers!
Q: What‘s the best time to call MPI’s
Participant Service Center?
A: Your call is very important to us, and
while representatives are available from
8:00am to 5:00pm, we experience the
highest call volumes between the hours
of 11:30am and 2:00pm. So, try us in the
morning or later afternoon for a faster
response. Dial 1 (855) ASK-4MPI.
Q: Are there pre-authorization requirements
for imaging and diagnostic testing using
network providers and facilities?
A: There are no pre-authorization requirements.
However, if you are seeing an MPTF
(Motion Picture and Television Fund)
provider and have a pending referral for
diagnostic testing or outpatient services,
please contact MPTF for status at
1 (800) 876-8320, and press Option 2.
Q: I am an MPI Participant living in
LA County and am enrolled in the Anthem
Blue Cross PPO. How can I save money on
my comprehensive physical exams?
A: If you are 18 and older and you reside in
LA County, you must use an MPTF physician
at one of the health centers listed below
in order for the exam to be covered. If you
see any other physician for this type of
service, you will be responsible for the full
cost of the visit.
The chart below highlights the improved dental benefits and
allows you to compare costs for categories of treatment when
you visit:
•A Delta Dental PPO network provider
•A Delta Dental Premier network provider
•A non-Delta dentist
To find out whether a dentist in your area is a Delta Dental
PPO or Delta Dental Premier network provider, visit
www.deltadentalins.com.
Delta Dental Coverage
New benefit coverage changes are indicated below in bold
Delta
Dental
PPO
Copayments Diagnostic and
Preventive
(D & P)
Basic Crowns
Cast
Restorations
Prosthodontics
Child
Orthodontics
Dental
Accident
Deductibles
MPTF Health Centers
Customer Service:
(800) 876-8320
www.mptf.com
Bob Hope Health Center
335 North La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 634-3850
Santa Clarita Health Center (661) 284-3100
25751 McBean Pkwy., Suite 210
Valencia, CA 91355
Toluca Lake Health Center
4323 Riverside Dr.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 556-2700
Westside Health Center
(310) 996-9355
1950 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 130
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Jack H. Skirball Health Center (818) 876-1050
(formerly Woodland Hills Health Center)
23388 Mulholland Dr.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
4
Maximum
MPI Plan
Pays
Age
Limitations
Per patient per
calendar year
Per family per
calendar year
D&P
exempt from
deductible?
Per patient per
calendar year
Orthodontic
lifetime
maximum
Dental
Accident
calendar year
maximum
Child
(years of age)
Student
(years of age)
Delta
NonDental
Delta
Premier Dentist
Changes
effective
January 1, 2014
Changes
effective
July 1, 2014
Changes
effective
July 1, 2014
100%
80/20
80/20
70/30
50/50
50/50
80/20
80/20
70/30
70/30
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
85/15
85/15
85/15
$25
$25
$25
$50
$50
$50
No
No
No
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
19
19
19
23
23
23
plan update
Important 2013 MPI Pension Plan Funding Information
2013 Annual Funding Notice
For Motion Picture Industry Pension Plan
Introduction
This notice includes important information about the Motion Picture Industry
Pension Plan (the “Plan”) and general information about the benefit payments
guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”), a federal
insurance agency. All traditional pension plans (called “defined benefit pension
plans”) must provide this notice every year regardless of their funding status. This
notice does not mean that the Plan is terminating. It is provided for informational
purposes and you are not required to respond in any way. This notice is for the plan
year beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2013 (the “Plan Year”).
How Well Funded Is The Plan?
The Plan must report how well it is funded by using a measure called the “funded percentage.” This percentage is
determined by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilities on the Valuation Date for the plan year. In general, the higher
the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s funded percentage for the 2011-2013 Plan Years, along with a
statement of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period, is set forth in the chart below.
The Plan’s Funded Percentage
2013
2012
2011
Valuation Date
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2012
January 1, 2011
Funded Percentage
81.6%
82.1%
83.2%
Value of Assets
$3,354,512,000
$3,211,854,000
$3,088,722,000
Value of Liabilities
$4,109,941,000
$3,910,275,000
$3,714,500,000
continued on page 6
april 2014 5
Important 2013 MPI Pension Plan Funding Information
Year-End Fair Market Value of Assets
Asset values in the Funded Percentage chart on page 5 are actuarial values, which are estimates, not market values.
While market values tend to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status as of a given point, they fluctuate daily
based on changes in the stock market and other factors. Pension law allows plans to use actuarial values to smooth
out those fluctuations for funding purposes. The fair market value of the Plan’s assets as of the last day of Plan Years
2011-2013 is shown in the following table:
December 31, 2013
December 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
$3,206,704,000
$2,998,436,000
$2,756,090,000
Fair Market Value
of Assets
Critical or Endangered Status
As of January 1, 2013, the Plan was not in
endangered or critical status.
Under federal pension law, a plan generally will be
considered to be in “endangered” status if, at the
beginning of the plan year, the funded percentage of
the plan is less than 80 percent or in “critical” status if
the percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may
also apply). If a pension plan enters endangered status,
the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding
improvement plan. Similarly, if a pension plan enters
critical status, the trustees of the plan are required to
adopt a rehabilitation plan. Rehabilitation and funding
improvement plans establish steps and benchmarks for
pension plans to improve their funding status over a
specified period of time.
Participant Information
The total number of Participants in the Plan as of
January 1, 2013 was 74,326, which includes 45,618
Active Participants, 14,916 Participants who have Retired
or separated from service and are receiving benefits, and
13,792 Participants who have Retired or separated from
service and are entitled to future benefits.
Funding and Investment Policies
Every pension plan must have a procedure for
establishing a funding policy to carry out plan objectives.
6
A funding policy relates to the level of assets needed to
pay for benefits promised under the plan currently and
over the years. The funding policy of the Plan is to confirm
that the minimum funding requirements of ERISA
are being satisfied and to determine that anticipated
employer contributions will not exceed the amounts
deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. The policy
for the 2013 Plan Year includes a target contribution
amount sufficient to amortize the unfunded liability
over an 16-year fixed amortization period (as of
January 1, 2013) and meet the normal cost if all
actuarial assumptions were met. Each employer makes
contributions weekly pursuant to collective bargaining
agreements.
Once money is contributed to the Plan, the money is
invested by plan officials called fiduciaries, who make
specific investments in accordance with the Plan’s
investment policy. Generally speaking, an investment
policy is a written statement that provides the
fiduciaries who are responsible for plan investments with
guidelines or general instructions concerning investment
management decisions. The Plan’s investment policy
is to seek a total rate of return from the Plan’s assets that
provides, together with employer contributions, sufficient
assets to fund participant benefits. In order to accomplish
this goal, the Plan seeks well-managed investments
and a competitive long-term return in a wide variety of
asset classes.
plan update
Important 2013 MPI Pension Plan Funding Information
Under the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following categories of investments,
as of December 31, 2013. These allocations are percentages of total assets:
Asset Allocations
Percentage
1. Cash (interest bearing and non-interest bearing)
6.10%
2. U.S. Government securities
13.72%
3. Corporate debt instruments (other than employer securities):
Preferred
All other
--9.25%
4
Corporate stocks (other than employer securities):
Preferred
Common
--18.42%
5. Partnership/joint venture interests
---
6. Real estate (other than employer real property)
5.25%
7. Loans (other than to participants)
---
8. Participant loans
---
9. Value of interest in common/collective trusts
2.70%
10. Value of interest in pooled separate accounts
1.04%
11. Value of interest in master trust investment accounts
---
12. Value of interest in 103-12 investment entities
17.79%
13. Value of interest in registered investment companies (e.g., mutual funds)
23.38%
14. Value of funds held in insurance co. general account (unallocated contracts)
---
15. Employer-related investments:
Employer Securities
Employer real property
-----
16. Buildings and other property used in plan operation
0.64%
17. Other
1.71%
For information about the Plan’s investment in any of the categories described in the chart above,
please contact the Plan by calling toll-free at 1 (855) ASK-4MPI or by mail at MPI Pension & Health Plans,
P.O. Box 1999, Studio City, CA 91614-0999.
Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report
A pension plan is required to file with the US
Department of Labor an annual report called the Form
5500 that contains financial and other information
about the plan. Copies of the Plan’s annual report are
available from the US Department of Labor, Employee
Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure
Room at 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room N-1513,
Washington, DC 20210, or by calling (202) 693-8673.
For 2009 and subsequent plan years, you may obtain an
continued on page 8
april 2014 7
Important 2013 MPI Pension Plan Funding Information
electronic copy of the Plan’s annual report by going to
www.efast.dol.gov and using the Form 5500 search
function. Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s
annual report for a nominal copying fee by making a
written request to the Plan. Individual information, such
as the amount of your accrued benefit under the plan,
is not contained in the annual report. If you are seeking
information regarding your benefits under the plan,
contact the plan administrator identified below under
“Where To Get More Information.”
Summary of Rules Governing Plans in
Reorganization and Insolvent Plans
The Department of Labor requires the Plan to include
this section, but it does not pertain to the Plan
because the Plan is not in reorganization or insolvent.
Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to
financially troubled multiemployer plans. Under so-called
“plan reorganization rules,” a plan with adverse financial
experience may need to increase required contributions
and may, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits
that are not eligible for the PBGC’s guarantee (generally,
benefits that have been in effect for less than 60 months).
If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide
notification that the plan is in reorganization status and
that, if contributions are not increased, accrued benefits
under the plan may be reduced or an excise tax may be
imposed (or both) to each contributing employer and the
labor organization.
Despite these special plan reorganization rules, a plan
in reorganization nevertheless could become insolvent.
A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available
financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits
when due for that plan year. An insolvent plan must
reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can
be paid from the plan’s available resources. If such
resources are not enough to pay benefits at the level
specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed
by the PBGC, in the following column), the plan must
apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC
will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits
at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be
restored if the plan’s financial condition improves.
A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt
notice of its status to participants and beneficiaries,
contributing employers, labor unions representing
participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and
beneficiaries also must receive information regarding
whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or
affected as a result of the insolvency, including loss of a
lump sum option. This information will be provided for
each year the plan is insolvent.
8
Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC
The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by
law. Only vested benefits are guaranteed. Specifically,
the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal
to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly
benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of
the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The
PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is $35.75 per
month times a participant’s years of credited service.
Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited
service has an accrued monthly benefit of $500, the
accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC
guarantee would be determined by dividing the
monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service
($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteed amount
for a $50 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum
of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus,
the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is
$357.50 ($35.75 x 10).
Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an
accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for
purposes of determining the guarantee would be
$20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20
monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus
$6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s
guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50
($17.75 x 10).
The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at
normal retirement age and some early retirement
benefits. In calculating a person’s monthly payment,
the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were
made under the plan within 60 months before the earlier
of the plan’s termination or insolvency (or benefits
that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time
of termination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does
not guarantee pre-retirement death benefits to a spouse
or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement survivor
annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates,
benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability
benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits,
such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits,
vacation pay, or severance pay.
Where to Get More Information
For more information about this Funding Notice,
please contact the Plan toll-free at (855) ASK-4MPI
(855-275-4674), or by mail at Motion Picture Industry
Pension & Health Plans, P.O. Box 1999, Studio City,
CA 91614-0999. For identification purposes, the
official plan number is 001 and the plan sponsor’s
employer identification number or “EIN” is
95-1810805. For more information about the
PBGC, go to PBGC’s website, www.pbgc.gov.
plan update
MPI Health Plan Simplifies
Premium Payment for Participants
Health Premium
Notices Have
New, Easy-to-Read
Format
We’ve re-tooled our Active Health
Plan premium notices to make them
clearer and easier to read with:
•An itemized “amount due”
box for your current eligibility
period
•Payment options and
instructions
•A form for the removal of
dependents from Plan coverage
For detailed information about
your current and reported work
hours and eligibility status, visit
www.mpiphp.org. Click the red,
“Log In” button on the home
page to access your personal and
protected information.
Premium Payment Terminal Now Available
For your convenience, MPI has installed a dedicated Premium payment
computer terminal in the lobby of our Studio City headquarters for the
immediate payment of any balance due. Using your Visa, MasterCard or
American Express branded credit or bank debit card, an easy-to-use touch
screen allows you to make a payment quickly.
The terminal is available during normal MPI business hours: 8 :00 am - 5 :00 pm
(Pacific Time).
april 2014 9
Qualifying for Your Short-Term Disability Benefits
“Break a leg” is a familiar phrase wishing others good
luck. It has become common the world over, but it
has its roots in “show biz.” And, while working in the
Motion Picture Industry is not the same hazardous
undertaking it was at the dawn of cinema, potential
dangers still lurk behind sets and stages, lights
and electrical cables. That’s why it’s important to be
careful and to understand your MPI health benefits
in the event of an injury or illness that temporarily
prevents you from working.
If you are at risk of losing your health plan eligibility
due to reduced work hours attributable to an injury or
illness, your disability still may be counted as work time.
Eight hours will be credited for each workday in the
Qualifying Period (excluding holidays and weekends)
for which you were paid disability benefits (or would
have been paid such benefits if you resided in California).
These disability hours are
added to any
credited work
hours (not to
your Bank of
Hours) for the
Qualifying
Period. If the
total is 400
hours or more,
eligibility and
coverage for
you and your
dependents
will be extended for the new
Benefit Period.
Qualifications for Short Term Disability
In order to qualify for a Short-Term Disability
extension, your disability must meet all of the
following requirements:
•Your disability must be certified by a doctor.
•The Claim effective date must occur within 90
days of your last reported hours.
•Your disability must last for at least seven days.
•If the state in which you reside maintains a state
disability system, you must apply for and receive
state disability to qualify for this extension.
Please note that you may not have two consecutive
Short-Term Disability extensions, you may not have more
than one extension based on the same disability, and
you may not combine hours in your Bank of Hours with
disability-credited hours. Additionally, any Short-Term
Disability extension granted after your initial qualifying
event will reduce your COBRA period by six months for
each extension.
How to Apply for a Short-Term Disability Extension
To apply for a Short-Term Disability extension,
please provide either copies of check stubs/disability
checks or a payment history from the Employment
Development Department (EDD) in California or
applicable state agency if you reside in another
state. These documents will verify the period of your
disability. If your disability was work-related, you may
submit a statement from the Workers Compensation
carrier regarding the period of disability.
Grandfathered Status of the Active Health Plan
T
he Motion Picture Industry Health Plan
is considered a “grandfathered” health plan
under the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act (the Act).
A grandfathered health plan can preserve certain
basic health coverage that was already in effect.
Being a grandfathered health plan means that
your plan may not include certain consumer
protections imposed by the Act on other plans
(for example, the requirement for the provision of
preventive health services without any cost sharing).
However, grandfathered health plans must comply with
10
certain other provisions in the Act (for example, the
elimination of lifetime maximums on benefits payments).
Questions regarding which provisions apply and which
provisions do not apply to a grandfathered health
plan and what might cause a plan to change from a
grandfathered health plan status can be directed to
the Employee Benefits Security Administration,
U.S. Department of Labor at (866) 444-3272 or visit
www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform, which has a table
summarizing which provisions do and do not apply
to grandfathered health plans. You may also contact
the MPI Participant Services Center at (855) ASK-4MPI.
plan update
aspirin
The Virtues and Dangers of
D
erived from the bark of a
willow tree, it treated
the Pharaohs of ancient
Egypt 4,000 years ago, and
Socrates was known to have made
a tea using it to reduce fever. It’s
a medication so ubiquitous that
it can be found in virtually every
medicine cabinet around the globe
and so well known that its beneficial
effects are quite commonly ignored.
Now, scientists recognize that
ordinary aspirin prevents different
types of cardiovascular disease. But,
can an aspirin a day really help keep
the cardiologist away?
Well, the short answer is “yes.”
Aspirin effectively suppresses blood
clotting, the mechanism responsible
for many heart attacks and ischemic
strokes (caused by a blocked artery
in the brain). On the other hand,
aspirin also increases the risks of
bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal
region and in the brain. The answer
to whether you should be taking
low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) for
prevention should be based on
an evaluation of your risks of
cardiovascular disease due to factors
like family history and lifestyle
versus the dangers of taking it.
For Those with
Cardiovascular History
For those who have been diagnosed
with cardiovascular disease or
who have already suffered a heart
attack or certain types of strokes,
the case for taking aspirin is clear, and
it statistically outweighs the risks.
According to a recent study of 10,000
at-risk individuals, aspirin likely
prevented 250 cardiovascular events
and sudden death, with just 40 cases
of serious bleeding. The ratio of
april 2014 of risk-to-benefit equates to roughly
six people helped for every one harmed.
For Those in Good Health
When aspirin is used to prevent
cardiovascular disease in those
exhibiting
good
health,
the
risk-to-benefit ratio is not quite as
convincing. For every 10,000 people
taking
low-dose
aspirin,
an
average of seven people will be
helped – mostly by preventing heart
attacks – to every four harmed.
Naturally, the chance that aspirin
will help you rises with your
compounding risk factors such as
age, smoking, elevated cholesterol
and being overweight.
A study in the June 6, 2012, Journal
of the American Medical Association
prompted some debate about
low-dose
aspirin
for
disease
prevention. Health records of more
than 400,000 low-dose aspirin users
were examined, and 20 out of every
10,000 people experienced a major
bleeding incident — many times
more than the bleeding rate seen in
previous clinical trials. However, since
that study, several academics have
pointed out that the study’s subjects
likely were at a higher baseline
risk for bleeding, and the overall
benefits of the aspirin were not
substantively tracked.
Overall, there is strong evidence
to support the use of aspirin to
decrease the risk of heart attack,
stroke and death from cardiovascular
disease. The following studies confirm
a net cardiovascular benefit that
exceeds the bleeding risk, especially
for high-risk patients, such as
diabetics and cigarette smokers:
•Physician’s Health Study
•British Doctor’s Trial
•Thrombosis Prevention Trial
•Primary Prevention Project
•Women’s Health Study
•Aspirin for Asymptomatic –
Atherosclerosis Trial
•Japanese Primary Prevention
of Atherosclerosis with Aspirin
for Diabetes Trial
•Prevention of Progression of
Arterial Disease and Diabetes Trial
The United States Preventive
Services Task Force now recommends
aspirin (unless the risks outweigh the
potential benefits) for men ages 45
to 79 and women ages 55 to 79.
Additionally, there is new information
indicating that daily aspirin use
(and other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs) can decrease
the incidence of gastrointestinal tract
tumors, particularly colon cancer, and
may reduce the risk of brain, breast,
lung and prostate cancer.
So, should you take low-dose
aspirin as a regimen to maintain your
cardiovascular health? It really
depends on your health and
condition, and you should always
consult your physician before taking
any medication.
11
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Los Angeles, CA
Permit No. 4848
P.O. Box 1999
Studio City, CA 91614-0999
Electronic Service Requested
Qualifying Periods for Monthly Health Eligibility
Eligibility for Active Health Plan Benefits is determined
on a monthly basis according to the schedule below. After
satisfying the initial eligibility requirement of 600 work
hours in one six-month Qualifying Period or two
consecutive Qualifying Periods, Participants must work at
least 400 hours in subsequent Qualifying Periods to maintain
health benefits during the corresponding Eligibility Period.
s
Enhanced Delta Dental Coveragecover
s
MPIPHP’s New CEO 2
s
Prescription Drug Coverage Changes
3
s
MPI’s Most Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers
4
s
2013 Annual Funding Notice
5
s
New, Easy-to-Read Health
Premium Notices
9
Qualifying Periods
Eligibility Periods
Work 400* or more hours
during this Period
Receive MPI Active Health
benefits during this Period
8/25/13– 2/22/14
5/1/14–10/31/14
9/22/13– 3/22/14
6/1/14–11/30/14
10/27/13– 4/19/14
7/1/14–12/31/14
11/24/13– 5/24/14
8/1/14– 1/31/15
s
Grandfathered Status of the
Active Health Plan
10
12/22/13– 6/21/14
9/1/14– 2/28/15
s
The Virtues and Dangers of Aspirin
11
1/26/14– 7/26/14
10/1/14– 3/31/15
2/23/14– 8/23/14
11/1/14– 4/30/15
3/23/14– 9/20/14
12/1/14– 5/31/15
4/20/14–10/25/14
1/1/15– 6/30/15
5/25/14 – 11/22/14
2/1/15 – 7/31/15
*Participants must first work a minimum of 600 work hours in one
six-month Qualifying Period or two consecutive Qualifying Periods.
12
table of contents
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Short-term Disability Benefit
Qualifications 10
MPI Holiday Office Closures
Memorial Day Independence Day
Labor Day Thanksgiving Christmas May 26
July 4
September 1
November 27, 28
December 25
plan update