{"id":3824,"date":"2014-05-07T05:43:54","date_gmt":"2014-05-07T12:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mnjinsurance.com\/?p=3824"},"modified":"2015-11-02T10:59:14","modified_gmt":"2015-11-02T18:59:14","slug":"cobra-notices-updated-by-dol-may-2-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/cobra-notices-updated-by-dol-may-2-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"COBRA Notices Updated by DOL:  May 2, 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that on May 2, 2014, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued updates to the Model General Notice and COBRA Election Notice?\u00a0 Are you confident that you are providing the correct notices in a timely manner to your eligible employees and qualified beneficiaries? The Obama administration announced updates to model notices that employers must provide to employees, informing workers of their eligibility to continue health care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).\u00a0 The Department of Labor (DOL) on May 2, 2014, released a new <a class=\"link-external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/modelgeneralnotice.doc\" target=\"_blank\">model general notice<\/a> form and <a class=\"link-external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/modelelectionnotice.doc\" target=\"_blank\">model election notice<\/a> form for providing COBRA notices to employees, and a related <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/articles\/2014\/05\/07\/2014-10416\/health-care-continuation-coverage\" target=\"_blank\">notice of proposed rulemaking<\/a> on the COBRA notice requirements,\u00a0published in the May 7 edition of the <em>Federal Register.\u200b<\/em> Federal\u00a0agencies also released an <a class=\"link-external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/chipmodelnotice.doc\" target=\"_blank\">updated model notice regarding premium assistance <\/a>under Medicaid and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).<\/p>\n<p>The updated notices let employees and qualified beneficiaries know that if they are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, they also have an option to purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act\u2019s (ACA) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Health Insurance Marketplace<\/a>, as the government-run exchange is formally known.\u00a0 Employees directed to Covered California\/public exchange, may qualify for federal subsidies depending on\u00a0income, and\u00a0are less likely to opt to pay the full premium to continue with their former employer\u2019s health coverage through COBRA. Regardless of the availability of Covered California\/public exchange, employers with 20 or more are still required to comply with COBRA.\u00a0 Ultimately, the decision of continuation of medical coverage will depend on what is best for the individual\/family. For more information on COBRA Continuation Coverage, see the resources below.<\/p>\n<h3><a name=\"employees\"><\/a>or Employees<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/pdf\/oncobracontinuationcoverage.pdf\">On COBRA Continuation Coverage? Compare Your Options During Open Enrollment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/cgi-bin\/leave-dol.asp?exiturl=http:\/\/www.cms.gov\/CCIIO\/Resources\/Regulations-and-Guidance\/Downloads\/SEP-and-hardship-FAQ-5-1-2014.pdf&amp;exittitle=HHS_Bulletin&amp;fedpage=yes\">HHS Bulletin Allowing Special Enrollment Period for COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries in the Health Insurance Marketplace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/cgi-bin\/leave-dol.asp?exiturl=https:\/\/marketplace.cms.gov\/outreach-and-education\/losing-job-based-coverage.pdf=www.cms.gov&amp;fedpage=yes\">HHS Fact Sheet on Losing Job-Based Coverage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/faqs\/faq-consumer-cobra.html\">General COBRA FAQs for Employees<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/publications\/protecting_benefits.html\">Protecting Your Retirement and Health Care Benefits After Job Loss<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/publications\/protecting_benefitssp.html\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/publications\/cobraemployee.html\">Guide to COBRA Health Continuation Coverage<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/publications\/cobraemployeesp.html\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/\">Healthcare.gov<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a name=\"employers\"><\/a>For Employers<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/cgi-bin\/leave-dol.asp?exiturl=http:\/\/www.cms.gov\/CCIIO\/Resources\/Regulations-and-Guidance\/Downloads\/SEP-and-hardship-FAQ-5-1-2014.pdf&amp;exittitle=HHS_Bulletin&amp;fedpage=yes\">HHS Bulletin Allowing Special Enrollment Period for COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries in the Health Insurance Marketplace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/cgi-bin\/leave-dol.asp?exiturl=https:\/\/marketplace.cms.gov\/outreach-and-education\/losing-job-based-coverage.pdf=www.cms.gov&amp;fedpage=yes\">HHS Fact Sheet on Losing Job-Based Coverage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/modelgeneralnotice.doc\">COBRA Model General Notice<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/ModelGeneralNoticeSP.doc\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/modelelectionnotice.doc\">COBRA Model Election Notice<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/modelelectionnoticesp.doc\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/\/faqs\/faq_compliance_cobra.html\">General COBRA FAQs for Employers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/publications\/cobraemployer.html\">Guide to COBRA Health Continuation Coverage<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/publications\/cobraemployersp.html\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/\">Healthcare.gov<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a name=\"posters\"><\/a>Posters and Flyers<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/pdf\/dislocposter8.5x11.pdf\">Job Loss Poster\u00a0(8\u00bd&#8221;x11&#8243;)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/pdf\/dislocposter8.5x11sp.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/pdf\/dislocposter11x17.pdf\">Job Loss Poster\u00a0(11&#8243;x17&#8243;)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/pdf\/dislocposter11x17sp.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a name=\"video\"><\/a>Video<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/dol\/media\/webcast\/20110916-ebsa\/20110916-ebsa-healthbenefit.htm\">Know Your Health Benefit Rights<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/dol\/media\/webcast\/20110916-ebsa\/20110916-ebsa-healthbenefit-sp.htm\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/dol\/media\/webcast\/20120321-ebsa-answers\/\">Questions? EBSA has Answers<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/dol\/media\/webcast\/20120321-ebsa-answers\/index-sp.htm\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Reference:\u00a0 As seen at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/COBRA.html\">http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/ebsa\/COBRA.html<\/a> dated August 1, 2015.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>This content is provided for informational purposes only.\u00a0 While we have attempted to provide current, accurate and clearly expressed information, this information is provided &#8220;as is&#8221; and MNJ Insurance Solutions\u00a0makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy\u00a0\u00a0and completeness.\u00a0 The information provided should not be construed as legal or tax advice or as a recommendation of any kind.\u00a0 External users should seek professional advice form their own attorneys and tax and benefit plan advisers with respect to their individual circumstances and needs.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that on May 2, 2014, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued updates to the Model General Notice and COBRA Election Notice?\u00a0 Are you confident that you are providing the correct notices in a timely manner to your eligible employees and qualified beneficiaries? The Obama administration announced updates to model notices that employers&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[36],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3824"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3824\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnjinsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}