Category: COBRA

COBRA Lawsuits Have Increased – Reach Out For COBRA Assistance!

Employers are seeing an increase in lawsuits from former employees alleging deficient Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) election notices. These lawsuits are generally class actions and can result in significant attorneys’ fee awards for successful ex-employees. Strategies to eliminate this problem can be found here.

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COVID-19 National Emergency Extended, Deadline Relief Continues

On Feb. 18, 2022, President Biden announced an extension of the National Emergency concerning COVID-19, stating that it must continue in effect beyond March 1, 2022. This extension impacts deadline relief related to the following employee benefit plan deadlines: HIPAA time frames—The 30-day period (or 60-day period, if applicable) to request special enrollment. COBRA time […]

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COBRA Confusion Continues to Challenge Employers

COBRA rules have changed over the past two years in order to recognize the complications accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting confusion can result in penalties, medical claims, litigation, and class-action lawsuits.

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More IRS Guidance on American Rescue Plan’s COBRA Subsidy

On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31, a guidance document on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subsidy for continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The Notice discusses the background of the subsidy and includes 86 questions and answers (Q&As) about its application. A Quick Recap: […]

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The ARPA Act Affects COBRA Subsidy Provisions

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law March 11, 2021, provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and similar state continuation of coverage (mini-COBRA) programs.

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Updated Model COBRA Notices & Frequently Asked Questions

. WAU.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Issues New Model Notices for COBRA The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued new model notices for group health plan administrators to use to comply with COBRA notification requirements, the agency announced on May 1, 2020. Plan administrators are not required to use the updated model notices. However, […]

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