COBRA compliance, notice deadlines extended.

Because employers may be working with skeleton staffs, some of the necessary paperwork associated with coronavirus-related terminations may have slipped through the cracks. The federal government has extended several deadlines so employers can catch up.

Most notably, the IRS and Department of Labor issued an extension of deadlines for health plans covered by COBRA. The agencies extended any deadline that occurred after March 1, 2020 to 60 days beyond the end of the national emergency.

In early May, the DOL issued its updated model COBRA notice that outlines beneficiary rights under COBRA. Use of the model notice is optional, but strongly advised. Find details at www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/cobra.

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