Employers Take Heed: Deadline is Near for COBRA Premium Assistance Notices

Lake Effect HR Law

As detailed in Lake Effect’s prior blog post, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) includes provisions requiring employers to temporarily subsidize the cost of COBRA continuation coverage for certain “Assistance Eligible Employees” from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Employers or plan issuers must pay premiums on behalf of such individuals and will be […]

Call to Action: New COBRA Notices Due Soon

Lake Effect HR & Employment Law

On April 12, 2021, Lake Effect HR & Law posted a blog notifying our readers about new COBRA provisions under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). We encourage employers who are federal or state COBRA covered employers to take prompt action, as deadlines for notices are upon us. Starting April 1, 2021, employers […]

New COBRA Notice Requirements for Employers Under the American Rescue Plan Act

Lake Effect COBRA information

On April 7, 2021, the US Department of Labor published FAQs and model notices implementing the temporary COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Employers and other group health plan issuers are subject to new COBRA notice and other requirements. What: Under the ARPA, “Assistance Eligible Individuals” may elect […]

President Biden Signs COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill

Lake Effect HR & Law Biden Relief Bill

On March 11, President Biden signed The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 emergency relief bill, into law. This new legislation aims to help individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country offset the devastating economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key employer-related provisions of the relief package include: Unemployment benefits: Extends […]

Updated Cobra Forms

Updated Cobra Forms On May 4, 2020, the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service jointly provided updates to the notification and elections deadlines set forth in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) intended to protect the participants and beneficiaries in employee benefit plans during the National Emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

Updated Cobra Forms

Updated Cobra Forms On May 1, 2020, the Department of Labor announced updates to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) Model General Notice and Model Election Notice. The modifications provide information about Medicare as an option for employees who have lost their health insurance as a result of a qualifying event. Given the number […]