Skip to main content

Clarifying Guidance on COBRA Deadline Extension Relief


On Oct. 6, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-58, which clarifies the application of certain COBRA deadline extensions for electing COBRA coverage and paying COBRA premiums under prior relief that was issued as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Standard COBRA Deadlines

COBRA Election Deadline
The standard deadline for individuals to elect COBRA coverage is typically within 60 days of receiving a COBRA election notice.
 
Premium Payment Deadline
The standard deadline to make COBRA premium payments is generally at least 45 days after the 
date of the initial COBRA election, with a grace period of at least 30 days for subsequent payments.

Extended COBRA Deadlines

Emergency Relief
The Emergency Relief disregards the standard COBRA deadlines until the earlier of: (1) one year from the date individuals were first eligible for relief; or (2) the end of the Outbreak Period.
 
Notice 2021-58 
On Oct. 6, 2021, Notice 2021-58 clarified that the disregarded periods to elect COBRA coverage 
and to make COBRA premium payments generally run concurrently.

Employers should carefully review the guidance and consult benefits counsel to ensure their ongoing compliance with the Emergency Relief, as clarified by Notice 2021-58. For more information read this Compliance Bulletin for further explanation and contact HANYS Benefit Services by email or by calling (800) 388-1963.

©2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Popular posts from this blog

Employee Benefits Offerings: What Perks Can You Add?

Employee benefits can play a crucial role in attracting and retaining top talent. Beyond compensation and bonuses, offering a variety of perks can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. But what should you include in your employee benefits offerings?   What are employee benefits?   Employee benefits encompass compensation, bonuses and various perks outside an employee's wage. By offering flexible employee benefits, you can improve employee productivity and loyalty while attracting and retaining talented candidates.   Personalized benefits examples   The type of benefits offered can vary by industry. We've compiled some of the most popular options to help you explore possible employee benefits strategies .  1. Social opportunities   Employee perks don't always have to be tied to a benefits package. Sometimes, the best way to engage your employees can be through social opportunities. Group activities can help im...
Read more

What is Risk Management? 4 Key Topics to Know

Understanding risk management in retirement programs  Managing a retirement program is complex, with multiple layers of risk. For organizations and their leadership, understanding and mitigating these risks is crucial to ensuring the long-term success and reliability of these programs.   It often leaves human resource professionals, employers and program administrators questioning, "What is risk management, and how can we excel at it?"  This blog post explores the various aspects of risk management in retirement program administration and provides actionable insights to help organizations better manage these risks.  The importance of risk management  Retirement programs are designed to benefit participants and beneficiaries, but they come with their own set of risks. These risks can be broadly categorized into four main topics:  Fees  Administration  Investments  Cybersecurity  Each of these topics requires meticulous attention and ...
Read more

What is HR vendor management? Overview with scenarios

Vendor management can be a litigious environment where efficiency, transparency and risk mitigation are paramount. With the right advisor in your organization’s corner, you’ll feel more confident navigating vendors and managing their services, ensuring streamlined processes and strategic alignment.   In this blog post, we'll cover the basics: What vendor management in HR entails, why it's important, how it can transform businesses and some scenarios in a few business types. Level up your knowledge and find the right partners to thrive.  Understanding vendor management in HR  Vendor management in HR involves the systematic management of third-party suppliers who provide goods and services essential to HR operations. This includes managing contracts, ensuring compliance with service level agreements and optimizing vendor performance to align with a company's long-term business goals.  A robust vendor management strategy can provide organizations with a structured ...
Read more