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ARRA mandates that plans notify certain current
and former participants and beneficiaries about the premium reduction.
The Department created model notices to help plans
and individuals comply with these requirements. Each model notice is designed
for a particular group of qualified beneficiaries and contains information to
help satisfy ARRA’s notice provisions.
Notice
of Availability of Model Notices
General Notice (Full
version) In
Spanish Plans subject to the Federal COBRA provisions must send the
General Notice to all qualified beneficiaries, not just covered employees, who
experienced a qualifying event at any time from September 1, 2008 through
December 31, 2009, regardless of the type of qualifying event, and who either
have not yet been provided an election notice or who were provided an election
notice on or after February 17, 2009 that did not include the additional
information required by ARRA. This full version includes information on the
premium reduction as well as information required in a COBRA election notice.
General Notice
(Abbreviated version) The abbreviated version of the General Notice
includes the same information as the full version regarding the availability of
the premium reduction and other rights under ARRA, but does not include the
COBRA coverage election information. It may be sent in lieu of the full version
to individuals who experienced a qualifying event on or after September 1,
2008, have already elected COBRA coverage, and still have it.
Alternative Notice Insurance
issuers that provide group health insurance coverage must send the Alternative
Notice to persons who became eligible for continuation coverage under a State
law. Continuation coverage requirements vary among States, and issuers should
modify this model notice as necessary to conform it to the applicable State
law. Issuers may also find the model Alternative Notice or the abbreviated
model General Notice appropriate for use in certain situations.
Notice in Connection with
Extended Election Periods Plans subject to the Federal COBRA
provisions must send the Notice in Connection with Extended Election Periods to
any assistance eligible individual (or any individual who would be an
assistance eligible individual if a COBRA continuation election were in effect)
who:
1. Had a qualifying
event at any time from September 1, 2008 through February 16, 2009; and
2. Either did not elect COBRA continuation coverage, or who elected it but
subsequently discontinued COBRA.
This notice includes information on ARRA’s
additional election opportunity, as well as premium reduction information. This
notice must be provided by April 18, 2009. |
