Directors, assistant directors, and unit production managers working in the entertainment industry often have access to healthcare benefits through the Directors Guild of America’s union-administered health plan. While this coverage can be a meaningful resource for mental health care, understanding how to access psychiatric services — and how to navigate reimbursement when seeing an out-of-network provider — is not always clear. Century City Psychiatry, located in West Los Angeles, works with DGA members to help them access high-quality psychiatric care and make sense of their mental health benefits.
Under the oversight of Dr. Michael Mah, a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his residency at UCLA and founded MahMD, Century City Psychiatry brings a depth of clinical expertise that is well-suited to the demands of entertainment industry professionals. Dr. Mah oversees an experienced clinical team that has developed meaningful experience working with DGA members and other guild-affiliated patients, offering personalized psychiatric care alongside practical guidance on navigating union health plan benefits.
“The demands on directors and production professionals are extraordinary — long hours, creative pressure, and the weight of leadership all take a toll. When our patients from the DGA community come to us, we want them to feel that this practice understands their world and that getting the care they need doesn’t require a second full-time job.” — Dr. Michael Mah, overseeing psychiatrist, Century City Psychiatry
Highly educated and amazing bedside manner.
About the DGA-Producer Health Plan
The Directors Guild of America represents directors, first assistant directors, second assistant directors, unit production managers, and other key production personnel working in film, television, commercials, documentaries, and new media. Eligible members may access health benefits through the DGA-Producer Health Plan, a union-negotiated benefit plan funded by employer contributions under the guild’s collective bargaining agreements.
Like other union-administered health plans in the entertainment industry, the DGA-Producer Health Plan operates under a distinct set of eligibility rules, coverage tiers, and reimbursement processes that differ from standard commercial insurance. Coverage is tied to covered employment earnings over qualifying periods, and benefit levels may vary depending on the member’s plan tier and current eligibility status.
Mental health benefits available through the DGA-Producer Health Plan may include:
- Telehealth Psychiatry: Secure virtual appointments for DGA members throughout California who prefer remote access to care
- Psychiatric Evaluations: Thorough diagnostic assessments conducted by licensed clinicians to inform individualized treatment planning
- Medication Management: Ongoing psychiatric medication oversight designed to support stable, effective treatment outcomes
- Ongoing Psychiatric Care: Regular appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed throughout the course of care
Common Questions from DGA Members Seeking Psychiatric Care
Production professionals considering psychiatric support through their DGA health benefits often share a consistent set of concerns. Understanding these is part of how Century City Psychiatry tailors its approach:
- Navigating Out-of-Network Coverage: DGA members frequently want to understand whether they can see a provider of their choice and still receive reimbursement through their plan. Many DGA-Producer Health Plan tiers include out-of-network mental health benefits, but the claims process may require specific documentation.
- Eligibility During Production Gaps: Because DGA-Producer Health Plan eligibility is earnings-based, members may experience coverage interruptions between productions or during extended development periods. Planning for care continuity is a genuine concern for many in the guild.
- Leadership Stress and Burnout: Directors and production supervisors carry significant on-set and organizational responsibility. High-stakes decision-making, managing large crews, and the intensity of production schedules can contribute to burnout, anxiety, and mood-related concerns that benefit from professional support.
- Work-Life Integration Challenges: Long production cycles, frequent travel, and irregular hours make establishing consistent mental health care difficult. DGA members often need a practice flexible enough to accommodate the realities of their schedules.
- Stigma and Confidentiality: Mental health care in leadership roles carries unique concerns about professional reputation. Century City Psychiatry maintains a discreet, professional clinical environment where patient privacy is treated with the utmost care.
Getting Started with Care at Century City Psychiatry
New patients begin with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, conducted by a licensed clinician within a framework overseen by Dr. Mah. This initial appointment is designed to provide a complete clinical picture, explore the patient’s goals, and establish the foundation for an individualized treatment plan.
Depending on the patient’s needs, care may include medication management, regular psychiatric follow-up appointments, care coordination with therapists or other providers, and telehealth options for patients who prefer or require remote care. The practice’s administrative team can also assist DGA members with verifying their health plan benefits and preparing superbills for out-of-network reimbursement submission.
Frequently Asked Questions About DGA Mental Health Benefits
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Yes. The DGA-Producer Health Plan typically provides mental health coverage for eligible members, which may include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and outpatient psychiatric care. Coverage scope and cost-sharing details vary by plan tier and eligibility status. The Century City Psychiatry team can help members confirm their specific benefits before beginning care.
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Century City Psychiatry may serve DGA members on an out-of-network basis. Many DGA-Producer Health Plan tiers include out-of-network mental health benefits, allowing members to see a provider of their choice and submit claims for reimbursement. Our administrative staff can help clarify how out-of-network coverage applies to your specific plan.
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A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes diagnosis codes, procedure codes, service dates, and provider credentials. Century City Psychiatry provides superbills upon request, which DGA members can submit to the DGA-Producer Health Plan for out-of-network reimbursement consideration. This document is typically required when filing claims for mental health services received outside the plan’s network.
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If your DGA-Producer Health Plan coverage lapses due to a gap in qualifying employment, options such as COBRA continuation coverage or other bridge arrangements may be available. The Century City Psychiatry team can work with you to understand your options and maintain continuity of care during transitions between productions.
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Yes. Telehealth psychiatric appointments are available for eligible patients throughout California. Virtual care is particularly well-suited to DGA members whose schedules shift with production demands or who are based outside of the immediate West Los Angeles area during certain periods of the year.
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Century City Psychiatry’s clinical team provides evaluation and treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, insomnia, and stress-related burnout, among other conditions. Directors and production professionals experiencing burnout, workplace-related anxiety, and adjustment disorders are among those the practice is well-positioned to support.
Why Century City Psychiatry Is a Trusted Choice for DGA Members
Located in the heart of West Los Angeles, Century City Psychiatry is positioned to serve entertainment industry professionals with the level of clinical expertise, discretion, and personal attention the guild community deserves.
- Physician-Overseen Practice: Dr. Michael Mah, a board-certified psychiatrist with UCLA residency training, oversees all clinical care — ensuring that treatment decisions reflect the highest standards of psychiatric medicine
- Entertainment Industry Experience: The practice has built real familiarity with the professional culture and mental health challenges specific to directors, production supervisors, and other DGA-affiliated professionals
- Benefits Navigation Assistance: Administrative staff are knowledgeable about union health plans and can help DGA members verify benefits, understand their out-of-network options, and obtain the documentation needed for reimbursement
- Flexible Telehealth Options: Remote appointments make consistent psychiatric care accessible even during demanding production schedules or location-based work
- West Los Angeles Accessibility: The Century City office is centrally located at 10323 Santa Monica Blvd, with easy access from major studio lots and surrounding neighborhoods
Compassionate, Personalized Psychiatric Care in Century City
At Century City Psychiatry, we are committed to enhancing mental health through innovative and comprehensive psychiatric services. Our practice is designed to support individuals in the West Los Angeles area, particularly in Century City, offering both in-person and telehealth options for those seeking quality care for various mental health conditions. The services provided reflect our deep understanding of the complexities of mental health, ensuring that we cater to the individual needs of each patient.
Schedule Psychiatric Care in West Los Angeles
DGA members seeking psychiatric care in the Los Angeles area are welcome to reach out to Century City Psychiatry for a consultation. The practice’s clinical team is prepared to deliver the evidence-based, personalized care you need — and our administrative staff will help you navigate your DGA health plan benefits from the very first appointment. Contact Century City Psychiatry at (310) 340-0089 or visit us at 10323 Santa Monica Blvd, #108A, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
