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Updated COBRA Info

30. August 2010 16:20

The DOL Employee Benefits Security Administration has updated its COBRA web page with a fact sheet and FAQs on maintaining health coverage after the COBRA premium reduction ends.

Click here to view the fact sheet.

Click here to view the FAQs.

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COBRA


No Extension for COBRA Subsidy

30. August 2010 16:09
As you know, the COBRA premium subsidy ended May 31, leaving those who were laid off after June 1 scrambling to find affordable health insurance. Laid-off workers who started on COBRA before May 31 can still receive the aid, but those who have exhausted the 15-month subsidy and those who are newly unemployed are not eligible.

The outlook for another subsidy renewal is up in the air. The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 signed by President Obama on July 22, 2010, did not extend the COBRA premium reduction and support is lacking in Congress because of the cost to fund the premium assistance. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.) introduced a bill to reinstate the subsidy and pay for it by eliminating a tax break on annuity trusts. The proposal would again be retroactive for those who lost their jobs since June 1 and would extend the subsidy for six months instead of the 15 months.

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COBRA


No COBRA Extension in Jobless Benefit Extension

22. July 2010 14:24

Congress approved legislation earlier today that will restore unemployment benefits to people who have been out of work for six months or more, after a seven-week interruption that caused 2.5 million people to lose unemployment benefits. There was, however, no measure to extend the subsidy for COBRA benefits.

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COBRA


COBRA Health Coverage Gap

1. June 2010 10:52
The Senate adjourned for Memorial Day recess without passing an extension of the COBRA premium subsidies. With the lapse of extension, employees who are laid off after May 31 will not be eligible for the subsidy. The House and Senate will return next week and take up the measure, possibly extending the subsidies retroactively.

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COBRA


COBRA Updated Model Notices

29. April 2010 09:27

The Department of Labor has updated the model notices to help plans and employers comply with the new requirements for the Continuing Extension Act of 2010. The CEA mandates that plans notify certain current and former participants and beneficiaries about the COBRA premium reduction.

The following are available:

  • Model Updated General Notice
  • Model Notice of New Election Period
  • Model Supplemental Information Notice
  • Model Notice of Extended Election Period
  • Model Updated Alternative Notice

Click here to view the notices.

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COBRA


Updates to the COBRA Site

19. April 2010 09:45

The Department of Labor has updated the COBRA Web site to reflect the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Click here to view the news statement.

Click here to view the fact sheet.

Click here to view the FAQs.

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COBRA


COBRA Subsidy Extended until May 31, 2010

16. April 2010 14:38

On April 15, Congress passed HR 4851, the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, which extended the COBRA Subsidy period from March 31, 2010 to May 31, 2010. The new measure comes after a two-week gap in benefits for thousands of Americans who either exhausted their benefits or their eligibility was expiring. This extends eligibility for the COBRA health insurance 65% subsidy for people who have lost their jobs through May 31, 2010 and provides transition relief for individuals who lost their jobs between March 31, 2010 and the date of enactment.

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COBRA


COBRA vote works its way through Senate

13. April 2010 14:21

Yesterday, the Senate voted to begin debate to extend jobless benefits for another month. The measure would extend unemployment insurance and subsidies for COBRA health insurance, as well as short-term extensions of several other lapsed programs.

 

The Senate returned April 12 after a two-week recess, and during the time when more than 200,000 Americans lost their unemployment benefits and left them wondering what will become of their health coverage under COBRA.

 

The 60-34 vote Monday killed a GOP filibuster against debating the measure, which would extend benefits through May 5.

 

A final vote on the legislation is expected this week.

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COBRA


DOL Updates COBRA Homepage

23. March 2010 11:33

The Department of Labor has posted the Application for Expedited Review of Denial of COBRA Premium Reduction to reflect the Temporary Extension Act of 2010. The COBRA Premium Reduction FAQs were also updated on the Web site.

Click here to view the application.

Click here to view the FAQs.

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COBRA


Updated Model Notices for TEA 2010

17. March 2010 13:34

The Department of Labor has released model notices that have been updated for the Temporary Extension Act of 2010. These notices comply with the requirements that certain current and former participants and beneficiaries should be notified about the COBRA premium reduction.

The model notices available on the Web site include:

  • Model Updated General Notice
  • Model Notice of New Election Period
  • Model Supplemental Information Notice
  • Model Notice of Extended Election Period
  • Model Updated Alternative Notice

Click here to view the model notices.

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COBRA


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