U.S. Department of Labor Issues New COBRA Notices
Published: 05.01.2020
What: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issued Frequently Asked Questions under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and revised COBRA model notices. The revised model notices provide additional information to address COBRA’s interaction with Medicare. The model notices explain that there may be advantages to enrolling in Medicare before, or instead of, electing COBRA. It also highlights that if an individual is eligible for both COBRA and Medicare, electing COBRA coverage may impact enrollment into Medicare as well as certain out-of-pocket costs.Why: The Department’s efforts seek to inform Medicare-eligible individuals of health coverage alternatives and options to COBRA with the intent that individuals are able to make informed decisions.
When: Effective immediately.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Frequently Asked Questions, News Release, model general notice and model election notice may be found using the following link: dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/cobra
