Virtually all reality television work done in Los Angeles under an IATSE contract requires that the producer contribute to the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan, or MPIPHP for short. The MPIPHP was created in the late 1950s to give people working in our industry portable health insurance and pensions. Every job you work, so long as it's union, adds to your health insurance and retirement.

In order to become eligible for health insurance, you must first accumulate 600 hours of contributions in a 12 month period. When you qualify, you'll receive health insurance for six months. After your initial qualifying period, you'll need only 300 hours to get another six months of insurance. If you exceed those 300 hours in the next qualifying period, you can bank some toward future eligibility, up to a maximum of 450 hours at any given time.

The MPIPHP health insurance offers a choice of three different plans, and also provides dental and eye care. The cost of this insurance is paid for by contributions from employers. If you are eligible for the insurance, you will receive it free - there are no co-payments on the premium. If you have family, they will be covered at no cost as well.

This description is meant as a rough guideline. You should check important requirements and other specifics at www.mpiphp.org.

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Tris Carpenter, National Organizer
MPEG, IATSE Local 700
323-876-4770 x244
tcarpenter@editorsguild.com