Quick Reference to Cobra Compliance

Quick Reference to COBRA Compliance is a guide for employee benefits professionals who administer the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), as amended. It provides information for administering COBRA in an easy-to-read format that allows the professional to find that information quickly when needed. Additionally, many of the chapters include job aids, charts, checklists, sample notices, worksheets, and flowcharts that are specifically designed to assist the benefits professional in COBRA administration. A topical index is also provided.
The 2022 Edition includes the following:

- Additional rules for a special COBRA election period during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the subsidy period assistance enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act (see Chapter 4).

- New rules for extension granted to premium payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic (see Chapter 6).

- A new section covering the COBRA subsidy/premium assistance provisions enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act (see Chapter 7).

- New model notices and timeframes, including the form for applying for premium assistance (see Chapter 7).

- Updated health savings account (HSA) and high deductible health plan (HDHP) limits for 2022, special enrollment extension due to COVID-19, and updated COBRA state law chart with additional information (see Chapter 10).

- New summary of court case addressing adequate notice of COBRA rights (see Chapter 11).

- Updated frequently asked questions including those on flexible spending accounts (FSAs); elections and COVID-19 relief; termination of coverage for failure to pay premiums on a timely basis during the COVID-19 pandemic; inclusion of marketplace information in notices; and COBRA and other laws, including updates to HSA limits and Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalties (see Chapter 13).

- Significant changes to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy rules, Mental Health Parity Act, the FSA cap, Medicare Part A tax rate, ACA penalties, and the ACA Cadillac Tax (see Chapter 14).