COBRA FAQs Regarding IRS & DOL Deadline Extensions

May 13, 2020

On April 28, 2020, the DOL and IRS issued a joint ruling extending certain deadlines affecting a participant's right to elect continuation of group health coverage under COBRA, pay premiums for COBRA continuation coverage, submit claims for coverage, and dispute denials of claims for benefits, and extending the period of time that a group health plan sponsor or administrator has to provide COBRA election notices.

Chard Snyder has created general FAQs regarding COBRA deadline extensions for participants and health plan sponsors under these regulations, with helpful examples. DOL & IRS FAQs offer additional general insights.

Employers with COBRA plans currently administered by Chard Snyder will find detailed information regarding our action steps and communication with your participants in these operational FAQs.

Note: This joint ruling also affected runout periods for health FSA and HRA plans, however that has been impacted by the notices on cafeteria plans released on May 12, 2020. We will provide further guidance as it becomes available.