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COBRA Resources
What is COBRA? COBRA stands for "The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act" is a federal law that allows certain employees and their eligible dependents the opportunity to elect a temporary extension of health coverage called "continuation" or "COBRA" coverage at group rates in specific instances when coverage under the plan would otherwise end.
What is ARRA? The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) reduces the COBRA premium in some cases. ARRA was amended on December 19, 2009 under the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R.3326) and provided and extension under the original ARRA regulations. The premium reduction assistance available under ARRA is available for up to fifteen months to certain individuals who experience a Qualifying Event that is an involuntary termination of employment at some time on or after September 1, 2008 and before February 28, 2010 and are being offered the opportunity to elect COBRA continuation.
On March 2, 2010, a temporary extension of ARRA (H.R. 4691) was signed to extend the Qualifying Event date that is an involuntary termination of employment to March 31, 2010 and also includes an expansion of the COBRA subsidy to individuals whose hours were reduced prior to being involuntarily terminated.
To find out more details on ARRA, please access our Frequently Asked Questions on COBRA ARRA.
Department of Labor (DOL) Appeal of Denied ARRA Eligibility – For information on the DOL appeal process or if you believe you are eligible for ARRA, but you were denied for the premium reduction assistance, you may file for a review online with the DOL at www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRA/main.html.
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Forms & Instructions
Notice of Disability Extension Under COBRA
Authorization/Disclosure of Protected Health Information
Revocation Authorization/ Disclosure of Protected Health Information
Helpful Links and Publications
Frequently Asked Questions about COBRA Continuation Health Coverage (from Dept of Labor, EBSA site)
Employees Guide to Health Benefits under COBRA (from Dept of Labor, EBSA site)
Final COBRA Regulations (Department of Labor)
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