COBRA administration is complicated and confusing, but it is also consistent. As readers know, we look at COBRA mainly through the eyes of the COBRA or health Plan administrator, striving to address COBRA conundrums before they become a problem for the Department of Labor, the State Department of Insurance, the IRS, and especially the Federal Court.

Since the onset of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, employees who have lost health coverage due to a qualifying event have had the option of continuing their coverage by electing COBRA or by choosing their own health insurance plan through the Marketplace. Back then, some predicted that the ACA would make COBRA obsolete. Now, almost five years later, COBRA stands strong.

Earlier this year, we posted an article on “The COBRA Implications of AHP Expansion” in which we discussed how COBRA may be impacted by the DOL’s proposed guidance on expanding Association Health Plans. On June 21, 2018, the Employee Benefits Security Administration division of the DOL published the Final Rule (29 CFR 2510) giving us the definition of “Employer” under Section 3(5) or ERISA related to Association Health Plans.

In the world of employee benefit plan administration and compliance, we often focus on what not to do. However, even in this highly regulated industry, plan sponsors have options when it comes to COBRA.   

Warning: This article is technical, and it contains way too many acronyms. In fact, we had to engage our ERISA counsel, Amy Grace at ERISA Logic to make sure we got the facts straight. That said, it’s worth reading. This topic is one more example of unintended consequences. What started as a way to help employers save money on employee benefits, may ultimately result in some COBRA complications. Read on to get the details.

As one of four iTEDIUM Solutions, COBRAGuard has a line of sister products that can help you provide the Human element in Human Resources. Learn more about our EESe eligibility and enrollment platform that was built for benefits professionals like you. View the video and then contact us to learn more.

COBRA can be denied in some cases for gross misconduct. Of course, sexual misconduct can be gross in that it is disgusting … and demeaning, insulting, terrifying, and awful. That said, does sexual misconduct in the workplace constitute “gross misconduct” allowing employers to deny the availability of COBRA coverage upon termination of employment? If so, what are the requirements and ramifications?

A sad and scary reality is sweeping our country. Drug addiction has skyrocketed. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 50. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in 2015, 12.5 million Americans misused prescription opioids, 828,000 people used heroin and 33,091 people died from overdosing on opioids. In late October of 2017, the Trump administration declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. 

Wondering how employers can best offer retiree health benefits? To shed some light on this complex topic, we’re looking at the case of Tom and Nancy. In retirement, Tom plans to golf nine holes a day and spend his evenings listening to live bands on the beach. Nancy has a love of travel and spicy food. Her plans include driving an RV across the country. 

“Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” -Leonardo da Vinci.

Maybe the famous scholar from the 1400s wasn’t talking about the continuation of group health plan coverage. But, today more than ever, this quote is right on point for sponsors and administrators of employee benefit programs.