Last month, Local 47 held the first in a series of planned informational panels for members. This exciting initiative was created to offer transparency and helpful information to our union’s members. 

The inaugural panel focused on the Entertainment Industry Flex Plan (“Flex Plan”) and helped with any confusion that members might have with it when it comes to the Local 47 Health and Welfare Fund (“Local 47 Plan”). The panelists were Local 47 Vice President John Acosta who is a trustee of the Local 47 Health and Welfare Fund, Pete Anthony who is a trustee of the Flex Plan, and Sean Dugan who is the Fund Manager for the Flex Plan. Local 47 President Marc Sazer served as moderator. 

The Flex Plan, the panel explained, is a promising way to deal with the reality of freelance employment. It was chosen to ensure that more musicians, particularly those without regular employment, have access to health care, given the changing nature of work in the industry. 

It is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (“HRA”) for those who don’t have regular employment.  

Under the Flex Plan, which is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (“HRA”), a member who works under a Local 47 contract that would pay into the plan would receive money into an account. The member can then purchase a health plan if he or she wishes. The two health plan options are Anthem Blue Cross, which offers PPOs, and Kaiser, which is an HMO system. Members can use their Flex Plan dollars for other things, like offsetting their expenses on a different plan, for example. If a member is on the Local 47 Plan, the Flex Plan dollars can offset co-pays or other kinds of expenses.  

Qualification for the Flex Plan requires $100 of employer contributions into the plan. Once that threshold is met, members receive an enrollment package. 

The panel noted that a unique aspect of the Flex Plan is for members who receive Secondary Markets Fund payments. They can allocate those payments towards the cost of their insurance premiums. And they do not pay taxes on that money because it is a reduction of gross income. 

The panel, which was held on Zoom, lasted a little over an hour and provided members with the opportunity to ask a variety of questions on the Flex Plan, as well as the Local 47 Plan. It was a terrific opportunity for members to get answers directly from those who are involved with the two plans. If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like information about the plans, you can visit flexplan.com for the Flex Plan or www.pacfed-musicians.com for the Local 47 Plan. 

Stay tuned for information on upcoming Local 47 panels.