The U.S. Labor Department (DOL) released model notices regarding the new COBRA requirements that were enacted as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA). The law mandates that plans notify certain current and former participants and beneficiaries about the COBRA premium subsidy and “second chance” COBRA election opportunity by no later than April 18, 2009. The model notices may be found at: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRAmodelnotice.html.
Although plan administrators are not required to use the model notices, using them assures compliance with ARRA’s substantive notice requirements.
