U.S. Department of Labor to host second webcast on COBRA subsidy and notices

Release Date: April 2, 2009
Release Number: 09-343-NAT
Contact Name: Gloria Della
Phone Number: 202.693.8666

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will host a free webcast April 6 to help employers and plan administrators understand new requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) relating to continuation health coverage.

The Recovery Act provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The webcast is designed for employers, third party administrators and other benefit professionals who must comply with the federal COBRA provisions.

Participants in the webcast with the Labor Department are the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. This two-hour webcast will highlight the new COBRA provisions and provide assistance in complying with the new requirements, including the model notices and the tax credit. COBRA webcasts are archived and available at www.dol.gov/cobra.

What:	Webcast on COBRA provisions under Recovery Act
Who:	Employers and plan professionals
When:	Monday, April 6; 3 to 5 pm EDT
Where:	Live over the Internet at the URL below
How:	Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit EBSA’s Web site at www.dol.gov/cobra and click on “COBRA ARRA Second Compliance Assistance Webcast” under Compliance Assistance Webcasts/Seminars/Workshops.
More Information:	Employers and plan administrators should call 202.693.8660.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7828 or TTY 202.693.7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.