DOL Plans New and Revised Notices on COBRA Subsidy Extension

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits --The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

Now that the COBRA premium subsidy provisions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) have been extended, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is in the process of getting approval on model notices that will reflect changes to the law. This will include revisions to existing ARRA notices, but also, more significantly, a new notice that plan administrators must send to affected individuals by Feb. 17, 2010.Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 22:02
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COBRA Subsidy Law Extended, Expanded

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits --The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

President Obama signed into law on Dec. 19 an extension and expansion of a COBRA premium subsidy law under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that was due to expire on Dec. 31. The extension means new compliance obligations for employers, as that the program now runs through Feb. 28, 2010, the subsidy period is expanded by six months and new notice requirements must be met within a tight timeframe.Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Tue, 12/22/2009 - 02:48
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Proposals to Extend COBRA Coverage and Subsidy Raise Questions

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits --The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

Two key Congressional proposals that would extend the COBRA premium subsidy program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for six more months have several similarities, but also have significant differences that raise unanswered questions, according to COBRA expert Paul M. Hamburger, Esq.Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 02:08
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When Does the ARRA Premium Subsidy Program End?

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits --The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

We are now heading toward the end of the premium subsidy program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which temporarily reduces the COBRA premium for “assistance eligible individuals” (AEIs) who: (1) had their own or a family member’s involuntary termination from employment between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009; (2) are eligible for COBRA coverage during that period; and (3) elect that coverage. But one question is: Does the period really end for everyone Dec. 31, 2009?Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 22:32
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Number of COBRA Enrollments Doubles Under ARRA Subsidy Law

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits--The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group
The number of individuals enrolling in COBRA coverage has doubled since the COBRA premium subsidy law under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was enacted in February 2009, according to Hewitt Associates, a global human resources company.
Read more
Submitted by COBRA Editor on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 21:53
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Administering ARRA's COBRA Premium Subsidy Rules: How Is It Going?

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits--The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

We are now half way through the year experiment of subsidized COBRA premiums under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and COBRA expert Paul M. Hamburger notes  it is a fair time to ask a basic question — How is it going? Are plan administrators clear on the rules? Are government agencies up to speed? Do COBRA qualified beneficiaries all understand their rights? Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 23:35
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New York Laws Expand Mini-COBRA Protections

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits--The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

 A recent amendment to New York state insurance law significantly changes how COBRA continuation coverage applies to insured group health plans covering businesses and individuals in New York by extending the state’s 18-month “mini-COBRA” period for terminations of employment explains COBRA expert Paul M. Hamburger, P.C.Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 20:21
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DOL Seeks Comments on ARRA Issues

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits--The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

As part of a standard regulatory procedure, public comments are being sought by th e U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on minor revisions made to final COBRA notice regulations to reflect the model COBRA premium subsidy notices, as well as an appeals application, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 00:10
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IRS Posts New Q&As on COBRA Premium Subsidy Issues

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits--The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

On June 4, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posted 19 new questions-and-answers on issues related to administration of the COBRA premium subsidy provisions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Issues addressed include involuntary terminations, special election periods and payrolll tax credit processing.Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 23:20
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CMS Appeals Form for ARRA Premium Denials Is Now Available

Excerpted from: 
Mandated Health Benefits--The COBRA Guide, published by Thompson Publishing Group

 
 In late May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) set up a special Web site where it posted a 13-page application for assistance-eligible individuals (AEIs) covered by public-sector government plans and state mini-COBRA laws to use to appeal the denial of the COBRA premium subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Read more

Submitted by COBRA Editor on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 02:03
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