COBRA for Rookies

Understanding the Basics to Avoid Liability

Available immediately

The stakes are high in COBRA compliance. With the potential for big ticket COBRA claims, it is crucial that individuals newly responsible for COBRA administration understand the rules and the importance of following them. Whether you sponsor COBRA health plans, act as a COBRA administrator, or advise on COBRA compliance, join us for this 90-minute web seminar and let our experts educate your personnel about the basics of COBRA, with an emphasis on practical ways to reduce damage exposure.

Originally presented on June 26, 2008.

Seminar Level


Intermediate Difficulty

Topics Covered

Here’s some of what was covered:

  • The big picture: What is COBRA coverage? What employers and health plans are subject to COBRA? What are the consequences of failing to comply?
  • What events trigger COBRA rights? Who has COBRA rights?
  • What notices does COBRA require? When do the notices have to be provided? What information has to be in the notices? Who needs to get the notices?
  • What’s the best way to provide the notices? What records should be kept as evidence that the notices were given to the right people at the right time?
  • Mechanics: What’s involved in offering, electing, and paying for COBRA? What are the election and premium payment deadlines?
  • If you’ve dropped the ball and made a COBRA mistake, how can it be fixed?

Please Note: This rookies level seminar does not reflect the temporary program for COBRA premium assistance created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Feb. 17, 2009), as amended by the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act (Dec. 19, 2009), and any later amendments.

Details

Speakers: Virginia L. Briggs, Esq. and Elizabeth E. Vollmar, Esq. Ms. Briggs is a Senior Editor at EBIA and is the Editor and a Contributing Author of EBIA’s COBRA: The Developing Law. Ms. Vollmar is a vice president and principal employee benefits attorney in the Legal & Research Group of Willis North America’s employee benefits practice, and is the former editor and a current contributor of EBIA’s COBRA: The Developing Law.

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.