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COBRA

Resources and information on coverage due to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.
COBRA
Cobra Benefits Expiring? Compare health insurance policies and quotes nationwide in minutes. Know your options.
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Listings
BasicFlex
Provides easy-to-administer systems that enable employers to set up and manage their own cafeteria/flexible benefit plans. BASIC expanded to provide Third Party Administration for Flexible Spending Accounts and COBRA.
www.basicflex.com
Blue Cross Health Insurance Plans
Quote and compare top health plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Kaiser & many more. It's easy.
Short Term | Individual Health | HSA | PPO
www.healthinsurancesort.com (Paid)
COBRA
Frequently asked questions and answers from the AHI Employment Law Resource Center.
www.ahipubs.net
COBRA
Cobra Benefits Expiring? Compare health insurance policies and quotes nationwide in minutes. Know your options.
www.4freequotes.com (Paid)
COBRA Management Software
Delivers software for paperless HR and benefits: employee information, benefits, COBRA, attendance, online self-service, payroll integration.
www.elforsoft.com (Paid)
Cobra Source
Cobra consulting and plan administration
cobrasource.com
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COBRA Insurance
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COBRA-Insurance.com
COBRA Insurance Info
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www.cobrainsurance.com
COBRA Individual Plans
For COBRA Insurance, Visit us. Find COBRA Info, Quotes, & Apply!
COBRA.Individual-Health-Plans.com

Guide to COBRA Requirements for Small Business

How to avoid being bitten by this health benefits law


The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires that companies continue to provide health benefits to former employees for up to 18 months. COBRA is a federal law that applies to companies with more than 20 employees and some states also have "mini COBRA' laws that apply to smaller companies.

COBRA covers employees regardless of whether they quit or are terminated (except in cases of gross misconduct), and also covers spouses and children under certain circumstances. Although COBRA paperwork can be a headache, employers can charge recipients 102 percent of the cost, with the extra 2 percent for administration costs.

Understanding and effectively managing COBRA benefits will:

  1. Ensure laid-off employees and their families have coverage
  2. Help your company avoid heavy fines, as the IRS has stepped up COBRA compliance efforts
  3. Prevent you from having to pay medical claims from employees who should have been notified of their coverage, but weren't. In those cases, your insurance company doesn't have your back, making you responsible for paying the former employee's medical bills. COBRA notification is the employer's responsibility, not the insurance company's.


Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know the law Familiarizing yourself with COBRA regulations and definitions is the first step you need to take.

I recommend:  The Department of Labor provides an overview of the federal law as well as FAQs and information on compliance assistance. You also need to check with your state's labor department. Cobrahealth.com provides resources on states' “mini COBRA” laws.

Call in the experts Instead of handling compliance and administration yourself, outsource COBRA services.

I recommend:  HR outsourcing firms like Ceridian handle millions of COBRA claims, potentially saving you time, resources and worry.

Get off on the right foot By law all new employees need to receive letter informing them of their COBRA rights when they are hired.

I recommend:  Use this sample notification letter from CCH.

Offer a lower-cost alternative Companies must offer COBRA coverage if they meet federal and state criteria, but coverage is expensive and you can offer your employees a cheaper option.

I recommend:  Extend Benefits offers the Extend COBRA Alternative Program (CAP) to small businesses as a cheaper option than COBRA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
  • Coverage usually ends when coverage under another health plan begins.
  • Under the law, children who are born, adopted or placed for adoption with the former employee during the continuous coverage period are now beneficiaries.
  • Former employees are not entitled to group term-life insurance under COBRA.

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How-To Guide from WORK.COM

By John Fuller
How to avoid being bitten by this health benefits law.
The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires that companies continue to provide health benefits to former employees for up to 18 months. COBRA is a federal law that applies to companies with more than 20 employees and some ... Read more
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