Local 492 negotiates health benefit coverage through the IATSE National Health and Welfare Fund which provides health insurance coverage to thousands of people in the motion picture industry. Our contracts call for employers to make contributions to help cover employees they hire on a job with a 492 contract.

Anyone working in a job covered by a Local 492 contract. This may include any below-the-line technician other than in the camera, editing, transportation or production departments. A list of qualified job positions is available from Local 492.

No, our contracts always cover all employees in listed positions, regardless of membership status. The Health Plan works exactly the same for members and non-members.

Coverage is paid for by contributions from the employers who sign our contract. Typically, their contribution is $35-$55 per employee per day worked.

When employer contributions into your CAPP (Contributions Available for Premium Payments) account reach $535 (1 month of the least expensive coverage plus a $150 administrative fee), you qualify to elect coverage. At an average daily contribution of $45, you would have to work about 12 days. When your CAPP account reaches $1305 you must get coverage or show that you have other health insurance.

There is no set time limit. However, you can not self-pay toward initial qualification, and funds that are not used within two years are forfeited.

There are three levels of coverage available, each in either an individual or family plan. The least expensive is $1155 per quarter (3 months). Initially, this money can only come from employer contributions. You don't pay at all. After the first quarter of coverage, you can remain in the plan, either by working enough days under contract to have your employers pay for the next quarter (about 12 days in three months) or by making up the difference through your own payments. Family coverage cost more, starting at $1,585 per quarter for the least expensive plan option.

After you qualify, you can pay for the plan yourself for up to 2 years if necessary. After that, a COBRA plan may be available for another 18 months. Any unused funds in your CAPP account remain for at least 2 years. If you are no longer working because you became disabled while covered under the plan, your coverage for the expenses related to that disability continues, under the ULLICO provided benefits only, for at least another 12 months or until you get other health insurance covering the disability, whichever comes first.

Yes, however, you can combine your contributions into a single CAPP account. If you have no dependant children, it may be cheaper to have two individual plans that to have one spouse with a family coverage plan.

Once you qualify, you can elect to have the money in your CAPP account used to reimburse you for other coverage you've paid for. If your coverage is paid for through another employer-paid plan (such as a spouse's job) you can use the CAPP money for paying the deductible or co-payments. You can also be reimbursed for other qualified medical expenses. These could include such things as eyeglasses, dental or chiropractor expenses. For these options, you must prove that you have other health insurance and there is a 10% administrative fee for each withdrawal, and a $150 annual administrative fee.

We currently have two plans available. To compare coverage, view the benefits of the C-2 plan and the C-1 plan.

For either of the Plan options (C-1 or C-2), there is no exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

The IATSE National Health and Welfare Fund publishes an 85 page booklet describing most aspects of the plan. It is available through Local 492. You can also get the booklet or more information by calling the Fund Office at 1-800-456-FUND. Also, when you qualify, the Fund office will automatically send you an enrollment form and benefit booklet. Local 492 may also have information about the amount of employer contributions toward your CAPP account prior to your qualification. Call the Local at 1-888-492-TENN or contact your area representative, or call the Fund Office.