
New COBRA Model Notices
May 5, 2020
Last Friday, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued new COBRA model notices and corresponding frequently asked questions (FAQs) to better guide individuals who may be choosing between Medicare and COBRA continuation coverage. The General Notice and the Election Notice were previously updated to provide individuals with more information about coverage options and tax subsidies that are available through the public Exchange/Marketplace. Now they have been updated to also provide more information about Medicare, including details about late enrollment penalties for failing to enroll in Medicare when first eligible. They also clarify primary and secondary payer status between Medicare and COBRA continuation coverage.
The new model notices, as well as the DOL’s news release and FAQs (all released May 1, 2020), can be found here – https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/cobra.
Employers should start using these notices immediately. As before, the model notices should be tailored to match the employer’s COBRA continuation offerings.
If you self-administer COBRA, please contact your Parker, Smith & Feek Benefits Team to help you prepare new COBRA election notices.
The views and opinions expressed within are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Parker, Smith & Feek. While every effort has been taken in compiling this information to ensure that its contents are totally accurate, neither the publisher nor the author can accept liability for any inaccuracies or changed circumstances of any information herein or for the consequences of any reliance placed upon it.
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