COBRA Premium Discount Continuation

mbliek

I know that there were two bills in congress to extend the COBRA - ARRA premium discount into 2010. One continues the discount at 35/65% but extends the length of time from 9 months to 15 months. The other changes the discount to 25/75% but also extends the length to 15 months.

Has either one been passed or close to being passed before the the current plan end 12/31/2009?

Thanks for the update.

Celeste Blackburn SPHR

We've been following the COBRA bills and possible extensions over on our news blog [URL="http://employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/"]HR News[/URL]. To see the latest update [URL="http://employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/2009/11/30/cobra-bills-face-uncertain-future-as-federal-subsidy-begins-to-expire/"]click here[/URL].

Here's the bottom line:
[I]The subsidy extension may end up being part of a jobs bill, but there are no specifics yet on the precise terms, [I]i.e.[/I], how the measure may differ from the bills that have been introduced so far.
. . .
As we get closer to the end of the year, legislation is likely to move quickly. Congress could remain in session right up until Christmas, and coming back between Christmas and New Year’s hasn’t been entirely ruled out, though Congress doesn’t typically meet between Christmas and New Year.

[/I]
The authors of the post, benefits experts [URL="http://www.alston.com/ashley_gillihan/"]Ashley Gillihan[/URL] and Carolyn Smith, promise to post updates to [URL="http://employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/"]HR News[/URL].

ACU Frank

There will be an extension... I think you can be sure of that. I'm most concerned about the prospects of having the subsidy expire, then see a retroactive extension passed a month or two into the new year.

That, my friends, will suck.

bethk

Amen to that! Time is running out..........

Celeste Blackburn SPHR

Yesterday, the House passed a COBRA subsidy extension as an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. You can read about it on the HR News blog at [URL="http://tiny.cc/ItkaC"][B]http://tiny.cc/ItkaC[/B][/URL]

Celeste Blackburn SPHR

The Senate has passed an extension. Read about it on our [URL="http://employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/"]HR News[/URL] blog at [URL="http://tiny.cc/cGjzA"][/URL] [URL="http://tiny.cc/cGjzA"][B]http://tiny.cc/cGjz.[/B][/URL]

Celeste Blackburn SPHR

[FONT=&quot][SIZE=3]Obama signed the COBRA subsidy extension into law today. You can read about it on our [URL="http://employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/"][COLOR=blue]HR News[/COLOR][/URL] blog at [URL="http://tinyurl.com/ybnmqe9"][B][COLOR=blue]http://tinyurl.com/ybnmqe9[/COLOR][/B][/URL]

Here's a quick rundown of the extensions the legislation makes:[/SIZE][/FONT][INDENT][FONT=&quot][SIZE=3]· the total allowable time an individual could receive the COBRA subsidy by six months (from nine to 15 months); and[/SIZE][/FONT][SIZE=3]
[/SIZE] [/INDENT][INDENT][FONT=&quot][SIZE=3] · the subsidy to individuals who are involuntarily terminated between January 1, 2010, and February 28, 2010.[/SIZE][/FONT][SIZE=3]
[/SIZE] [/INDENT][FONT=&quot][SIZE=3] Additionally, the legislation would allow individuals whose subsidy periods already expired and who failed to pay their full unsubsidized premiums to retroactively pay them.

Also, we are now offering an audio conference on January 20 and February 4. [URL="http://www.hrhero.com/audio/COBRA-extension/?"]"New COBRA Subsidy Extension: Step-by-Step Guidance for Employers"[/URL] will be presented by Ashley Gillihan, an attorney who advises employers on health and employee benefit compliance. For more information, [URL="http://www.hrhero.com/audio/COBRA-extension/?"]click here[/URL] or call (800) 274-6774.[/SIZE][/FONT]

joannie

[quote=Celeste Blackburn;718594][FONT=&quot][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=&quot][SIZE=3]Additionally, the legislation would allow individuals whose subsidy periods already expired and who failed to pay their full unsubsidized premiums to retroactively pay them.[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]


What a nightmare. Can anyone tell me how thinking in Washington has become so convoluted?

Irie

[QUOTE=joannie;718595]What a nightmare. Can anyone tell me how thinking in Washington has become so convoluted? [/QUOTE]

They don't care because they aren't the ones who have to administer this stuff. Look at FMLA. If the bureaucrats had to deal with these issues on a day-to-day basis I think they would change their minds very quickly.