On April 28, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) released official guidance* that gives employees who were enrolled in their employer-sponsored health plan at the time of termination more time to take certain actions regarding COBRA coverage. In addition, group health plan sponsors and administrators also now have more time to provide you with a COBRA election notice.
As a result, certain routine actions associated with COBRA elections and continuation coverage are now suspended for the duration of the COVID-19 “Outbreak Period,” which is defined as the period from March 1, 2020 until 60 days after the date that the federal government declares the COVID-19 emergency to have ended.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
- You now have additional time to take certain actions regarding your health plan and COBRA continuation coverage, including:
-
- Enrolling in COBRA continuation coverage
- Paying the premiums for COBRA continuation coverage
- Submitting claims for health plan benefits
- Disputing denials of claims for health plan benefits
- Adverse actions, such as permanently terminating your COBRA eligibility or coverage, will not be taken during the official, declared Outbreak Period. If you do not make a timely payment of COBRA premiums, your coverage may be suspended until such payment is made. If payment is received, it will be reactivated.
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at the email address and/or telephone number listed below. As your COBRA Service Provider, we are here to help. Our customer service representatives are ready to assist with any questions or concerns you may have.
Corporate Coverage TPA
403 W. Pennsylvania Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 866-403-9378
Fax: 410-823-0024
Email: enrollment@corporatecoverage.net
795 Pine Valley Drive, Suite 21
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Phone: 866-993-7702 x 6400
Fax: 877-774-1328
Email: carol@corporatecoverage.net
*Final rule as published in the Federal Register at 85 FR 26351
(https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/04/2020-09399/extension-of-certain-timeframes-for-employee-benefit-plans-participants-and-beneficiaries-affected)
**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/covid-19.pdf)