COBRA Notices for ARRA of 2009
Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), how we handle COBRA has been affected. Although you are not obligated to use these model notices, they have been created by the U.S. Department of Labor and will ensure you are providing the correct information to your employees.
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:
- Had a qualifying event at any time from September 1, 2008 through February 16, 2009; and
- 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 (or should have been) provided by April 18, 2009.
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