New Model COBRA Forms Available

The Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed new regulations that would revise the COBRA requirements in an effort to increase visibility of the available options available in the Health Insurance Marketplace. While the proposed regulations will only become effective after a comment period and final review, the DOL has already released an amended Model General Notice and a revised Model Election Notice. The updated forms contain more information than the previous documents regarding the Health Insurance Marketplace including a statement that insurance coverage through the exchange may be less expensive than COBRA coverage and that COBRA-eligible individuals may qualify for a special enrollment period under the parameters of the exchange.We recommend that you immediately begin using these model notices in place of your current COBRA notices