Leave of Absence

Sharon

I have just taken over benefits for my company and still not quite up to speed on all the ins and outs of COBRA. When our employees go out on FMLA or Workers Comp we pay the employee portion of health insurance and allow them to send us payments for dependent coverage that would normally come out of their pay check. My questions is if they fail to make these payments (for dependent coverage)do we need to send COBRA for the dependents. When the employee returns from leave any benefits that may have been cancelled are reinstated immediately.

Susan Fentin MA

Good question, Sharon. Failure to pay plan premiums is not a "qualifying event" for purposes of COBRA, so there is no need to send a COBRA notice if you cancel benefits because the employee has failed to send in his/her check. If you have any other questions, feel free to send me an email at [email]sfentin@skoler-abbott.com[/email]. Good luck
Susan Fentin
Skoler, Abbott & Presser

Sharon

Thanks! I didn't think I had to but just wanted to be sure