Health plan admin - COBRA (BenefitsLink.com)Headlines re Health plan admin - COBRA, gathered by BenefitsLink.comOnline DOL Booklet for Individuals: Retirement And Health Care Coverage -- Q&As For Dislocated Workers- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "This booklet addresses some of the common questions dislocated workers ask. In addition, there is a brief guide to additional resources at the back. Together, they can help you in making critical decisions about your health care coverage and your retirement benefits." (Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor)http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/dislocated_workers_brochure.html American Benefits Council Summary of COBRA Provisions in the Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007 (PDF)- (Found July 11, 2008 ) 4 pages. Excerpt: "On October 31, 2007, the House passed H.R. 3920, the Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007, which amends certain health provisions of the Trade Act of 2002. The 2002 Trade Act created a health care tax credit of 65% of the cost of qualified health insurance coverage for certain workers who were terminated due to foreign competition. The Act also gave these workers a second COBRA election period." (American Benefits Council)http://www.americanbenefitscouncil.org/documents/councilsummarycobraprovisionshr3920.pdf COBRA Coverage May Be Terminated if Qualified Beneficiary Fails to Re-Enroll During Open Enrollment- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: We agree with the court's reasoning and interpretation of the COBRA regulations. We also think that the outcome in this case was dictated in large part by the clarity of the employer's communications regarding open enrollment." (Employee Benefits Institute of America)http://www.ebia.com/weeklyguest/19198/20071130be1553e68a31754aa7ea5b67ce1967d3/BNL071108 Guidance Overview Laws Don't Speak to Non-English COBRA Notice Requirement- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "You have a multilingual workforce. Must you provide COBRA notices in languages other than English" (CCH Incorporated)http://hr.cch.com/hhrlib/issues-answers/Laws-dont-speak-to-non-English-COBRA.asp?date=Janu... Expanded COBRA Continuation Coverage for Small Firm Employees, 2007- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "Updated information on continuation and conversion coverage offered to employees of small firms is now available for all states. Information on states that offer expanded COBRA continuation coverage to employees who are not currently covered by COBRA under federal law has been added and includes information on maximum duration amounts and rating restrictions. Updated information on conversion coverage rights for people leaving small firms that offer fully insured group health...http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparetable.jsp?ind=357&cat=7 Buffalo-Area School District Determines COBRA Violation Caused Retirees to Overpay for Health Coverage- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "Such a change and sharp difference is allowed in general, with many employers doing it as a way to lower their health-care expenses and premiums as those costs continue to soar. But applying it to recent retirees ran afoul of . . . COBRA. That means someone who retires can continue their health insurance under CO- BRA, with ERISA limiting the premium for the first 18 months to no more than what active employees pay for the same coverage." (The Buffalo News)http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/271379.html Fighting to Live, and, Remain Insured- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "What kind of society builds obscene profit into healthcare, makes medical insurance a luxury, replaces secure pensions with risky 401(k)s and saddles its hard-working citizens with doubts and fears about being able to afford their most basic needs as they grow old Something to think about when you vote for president this year." (Los Angeles Times)http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez20feb20,0,5854530.column Guidance Overview Court Addresses Start Date for 60-Day COBRA Election Period- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: We think it was the court that was confused here. The employer gave the employee only 60 days from the date of his termination of employment to make an election, but under COBRA, the election period must run for 60 days after the termination of coverage or, if later, the date the election notice is provided. The employer's well-intentioned extension of coverage should have expanded the election period by at least one month. (The employer's notice also apparently...http://www.ebia.com/weeklyguest/19310/20080321624af853c121f9b60e246bc49c69157e/BNL080228 Guidance Overview No Claim for Failure to Provide COBRA Notice for Employee Who Did Not Follow Standard Procedures for an Address Change- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: Generally, the proper address to which the COBRA election notice should be sent is the last-known address of the qualified beneficiary. An ounce of prevention, of course, is worth a pound of cure. Employers should have a policy of obtaining up-to-date mailing addresses from departing employees and of forwarding them to those responsible for COBRA notifications. And all COBRA forms and other communications with qualified beneficiaries should impose an obligation to...http://www.ebia.com/weeklyguest/19318/20080328b2e95d87a04819c4e17ff1174ba26272/BNL080306 Opinion Issues on COBRA and Dependent Eligibility Audits- (Found July 11, 2008 ) Excerpt: "Included among California state employee benefits is health care coverage for workers and their dependents, which is specifically provided under the state's Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 () (COBRA). The article, 'Employers Are Taking Steps to Reduce Costs Associated with Employee Benefits', posted on November 29, 2007, contradicts nearly everything the law says. This article is about the practice of some employers who terminate medical coverage for...http://laattorneyslegalresources.blogspot.com/2008/03/issues-on-cobra-and-dependent.html |