Effective June 24, 2022, in the fight to protect reproductive health services (such as abortions) for millions of people across the nation, the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPIHP) began covering travel expenses related to obtaining MPIHP Covered Services in a state where that service is illegal.
For example, travel expenses will be covered for residents of Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Louisiana who are seeking out-of-state abortion services due to their state's abortion bans.
Travel expense reimbursement requirements:
- The travel must be for, and essential to, receiving the Covered Service (e.g. abortion services, etc.)
- The Covered Service must be provided by a qualified, licensed medical or mental health provider in the continental United States
- Covered Services will be paid according to MPIHP benefits
The following travel expenses are considered eligible for reimbursement:
- Transportation to the service location (such as a reproductive health clinic). Bus, train, plane fares (coach class), taxi, ride-share, rental car, or mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle reimbursed at the IRS rate in effect at the time of travel (currently 62.5 cents/mile).
- Parking.
- Lodging within 30 miles of the service location, up to $300/night (inclusive of all taxes and fees) for the Participant and a travel companion (total, not each). Lodging will be covered the night before and the night of the service. An additional night after the service may be covered with a note of medical necessity from the treating Provider.
- Reimbursement for lodging above $50/night will be taxed per IRS limits and the Participant will receive an IRS Form 1099.
- In no case shall travel reimbursement exceed $4,000 per calendar year with a $10,000 lifetime maximum per Participant or dependent.
Non-eligible expenses include:
- Travel meals
- Childcare
- Any expense not primarily for or essential to receiving the Covered Service
- Travel for consultation only
- Travel for network inadequacy
Click here for the Travel Reimbursement form.
We are proud to announce this new reimbursement program at the heels of the Kansas Primary Election, where thousands of voters proved to the nation that safe and easy access to abortion services are what the people want.
The Labor Trustees who sit on the Benefits Appeals Committee at MPI worked tirelessly to ensure that all our members are covered and protected. In addition, we would like to thank the Employers for agreeing to these terms without fight, as they also saw the importance of protecting the reproductive rights of all our members.