Friday Afternoon -- COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
Up-to-date information, including any economic stimulus package changes.
“Awesome. Nothing more to say than that.”
Agenda
12:30 p.m.
- Registration
1:00 p.m.
- When COBRA Applies. What employers and plans are subject to COBRA and what are the consequences of noncompliance?
- General COBRA Disclosures. Describing COBRA in the initial notice and SPD.
- Qualifying Events and Qualified Beneficiaries. When COBRA must be offered (gross misconduct, FMLA, other leaves, etc.). Who must be offered COBRA (newborn/newly adopted children, effect of Medicare or other coverage, etc.).
- Notice of Qualifying Events; Election and Unavailability Notices. How the plan learns of qualifying events; and how qualified beneficiaries learn of COBRA rights.
2:45 p.m.
- Coffee Break
3:00 p.m.
- COBRA Elections. How qualified beneficiaries elect COBRA; what coverage may be elected; multiple plans and open enrollment issues.
- COBRA Premiums. What premium to charge; payment deadlines and who can pay; late payment problems.
- Duration of Coverage. Basic COBRA coverage periods; extensions; early termination of COBRA and termination notices from the plan; special rules for health FSAs.
- Recap of Notices. Reasonable notice procedures all plans must have.
4:30 p.m.
- COBRA program ends
