IRS, DOL Publish New Info on COBRA Subsidy
Today the Department of Labor expanded its FAQs on the COBRA subsidies included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Click here to read the DOL's new COBRA FAQs.
Wondering what the tax implications of the subsidy are, or whether the person asking for the subisidy is truly eligible? Click here to read the IRS's Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits. If that doesn't answer your tax questions, click here to visit the IRS's ARRA page.
As a reminder, employers can click here to download the new model COBRA notices.
Sick to death of COBRA and need to relieve the stress it's caused? Click here to visit Orisinal - a site full of calming, zen-like computer games.
And finally, click here to visit the World of Work's complete COBRA coverage.
Model COBRA Subsidy Notices Now Available
The Department of Labor has published four model notices to help employers, plans and individuals comply with the notice requirements of the COBRA subsidy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Each model notice is designed for a particular group of qualified beneficiaries and contains information to help satisfy ARRA’s notice provisions. Click on the title of each to download:
- General Notice (Full version). Plans subject to the Federal COBRA provisions must send the General Notice to all qualified beneficiaries, not just covered employees, who experienced a qualifying event at any time from September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009, regardless of the type of qualifying event, AND who either have not yet been provided an election notice or who were provided an election notice on or after February 17, 2009 that did not include the additional information required by ARRA. This full version includes information on the premium reduction as well as information required in a COBRA election notice.
- General Notice (Abbreviated version). The abbreviated version of the General Notice includes the same information as the full version regarding the availability of the premium reduction and other rights under ARRA, but does not include the COBRA coverage election information. It may be sent in lieu of the full version to individuals who experienced a qualifying event during on or after September 1, 2008, have already elected COBRA coverage, and still have it.
- Alternative Notice. Insurance issuers that provide group health insurance coverage must send the Alternative Notice to persons who became eligible for continuation coverage under a State law. Continuation coverage requirements vary among States, and issuers should modify this model notice as necessary to conform it to the applicable State law. Issuers may also find the model Alternative Notice or the abbreviated model General Notice appropriate for use in certain situations.
- Notice in Connection with Extended Election Periods. Plans subject to the Federal COBRA provisions must send the Notice in Connection with Extended Election Periods to any assistance eligible individual (or any individual who would be an assistance eligible individual if a COBRA continuation election were in effect) who (1) had a qualifying event at any time from September 1, 2008 through February 16, 2009; and (2) either did not elect COBRA continuation coverage, or who elected it but subsequently discontinued COBRA. This notice includes information on ARRA’s additional election opportunity, as well as premium reduction information. This notice must be provided by April 18, 2009.
For more information about the COBRA subsidy, click here to read our coverage at the World of Work. Or, click here to go to the Department of Labor's COBRA Subsidy Website.
DOL Issues FAQs on COBRA Subsidy
The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has posted answers to 10 frequently asked questions regarding the COBRA subsidies included in the new stimulus package. Most relate to individual claims for the subsidy, but the information may be helpful to employers as well.
For more information about the subsidy, click here to read our coverage at the World of Work. Or, click here to go to the Department of Labor's COBRA Subsidy Website.
(Okay, this picture has nothing to do with the continuation of health care, and the FAQs don't say anything about snakes. We just like to keep things interesting at the World of Work.)
New COBRA Subsidy Forms and Information Available
The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has just released a salvo of new forms and information on the COBRA subsidy. Click on the titles below to download:
- COBRA Premium Reduction Fact Sheet
- Job Loss Poster (8½" x 11")
- Loss Poster (11" x 17")
- Flyer for Employers • Flyer for Employees
- COBRA Continuation Health Coverage FAQs for Employees
- COBRA Continuation Health Coverage FAQs for Employers
- IRS Information on COBRA Premium Reduction
- DOL Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Keep watching the World of Work for more information on the COBRA subsidy!
