Extension of COBRA Premium Subsidy Rules

How to Keep Turning on a Compliance Dime

Available immediately

Here we go again. Congress has extended the COBRA premium subsidy rules (retroactive to the original February 2009 date of enactment) and is poised to pass another, longer extension later in January. Whether you are a health plan sponsor or a COBRA administrator, join this 90-minute web seminar for a detailed explanation of the rules and the changes that will be required for premium subsidy compliance. Handouts will include copies of the DOL’s model notices (released January 13), which will be annotated by EBIA with commentary, citations, and compliance tips.

Originally presented on January 21, 2010.

Seminar Level


Intermediate Difficulty

Topics Covered

Here’s some of what was covered:

  • Revised definition of assistance eligible individual to extend assistance for involuntary terminations through February 28, 2010 (a further extension through June 30, 2010 is expected in January).
  • Extension of the premium assistance period from 9 to 15 months.
  • Impact on timing and contents of required notices, including required re-noticing of individuals currently receiving assistance and those who already exhausted their periods of assistance.
  • Special late payment and reimbursement rules for individuals in a “transition period” (the period that begins immediately after the original period of assistance under ARRA).
  • Details of the proposed second extension, expected to include a further extension for eligible terminations through June 2010, clarifications regarding eligibility and retiree plans, and new penalty provisions.
  • Updates on the IRS program for reimbursing employers for premium assistance and on the DOL’s expedited review process for disputed cases.

Details

Speakers: Charles H. Thulin and Andrew Ky Haynes. Mr. Thulin is a shareholder of Ekman, Bohrer & Thulin, P.S., in Seattle and a Contributing Author of EBIA’s COBRA: The Developing Law. Mr. Haynes is a Shareholder and Director of Haynes Benefits, P.C. in Kansas City and a Contributing Author of EBIA’s HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security and Group Health Plan Mandates manuals.

Handouts: A handout of the seminar slides and other information is provided through download.

Viewing Details

Accessing the recorded web seminar: After you purchase a recorded web seminar, you will receive an email with access information. You and your co-workers may then view the recording as many times as you wish for 60 days. An internet connection is required to view the recording; it can be stopped and started as needed and has a table of contents for easy navigation.

Recordings are accurate as of the date presented: Our recordings are accurate as of the presentation date of the live seminar. We supplement handout materials with articles from the EBIA Weekly covering significant later developments. You must check the table of contents at your access link for updates before viewing a recorded seminar.

Please respect our copyright: Do not record the web seminar, share the access link, or duplicate materials. For details on our copyright policy, please visit our Copyright page.

System Requirements for Recorded Web Seminars

EBIA uses WebEx technology for the seminar. You may wish to view system requirements, test your system and download any necessary WebEx software here:

http://www.webex.com/lp/jointest/

If you are not able to complete the WebEx installation, please contact WebEx technical support at (866) 863-3904.