Complying with COBRA

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) was signed into law in 1986, making extended health insurance coverage available, for a limited period of time, to qualified beneficiaries who experience certain life events. Under the Act, employees and their families can purchase health care coverage at the employer’s group rate when an employee experiences an event that results in the loss of employer-provided coverage.

This online course discusses who qualifies for COBRA, how COBRA works, and what happens to employers who do not comply with COBRA standards. The course includes an explanation of how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which took effect on Feb. 17, 2009, has amended certain provisions of COBRA.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Managers/Supervisors/Risk Management & HR Professionals

PROGRAM LEVEL
Basic

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES
None

ADVANCED PREPARATION
Not Required

DELIVERY METHOD
Self-Study

TIME TO COMPLETE
105-120 minutes

PURPOSE
To help managers and supervisors understand the basic regulations and terms of COBRA coverage.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, the learner will be able to:

• explain the proper course of action for notifying employees and their spouses about continuation rights when they enroll in a group health plan;
• characterize the circumstances that qualify individuals as beneficiaries, the events that qualify beneficiaries for continued coverage, and the maximum coverage available to these beneficiaries;
• summarize the terms of coverage, including the election of coverage, premium payments, the termination of coverage, and conversion rights;
• describe the potential penalties imposed if an employer does not comply with COBRA;
• depict the relationship between COBRA and various federal and state laws; and
• determine how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) amended COBRA requirements, particularly as they affect assistance eligible individuals.

TOPICS COVERED

1. What is COBRA?
2. What are the Laws and Regulations?
3. Who is Eligible?
4. What is a Qualifying Event?
5. What are the Notification Procedures?
6. What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
7. How has the ARRA Amended COBRA Requirements?

FORMS INCLUDED

• Notice Upon Enrollment in a Group Health Plan
• COBRA Notice and Election Form Following a Qualifying Event
• Certificate of Group Health Plan Coverage
• Model COBRA Continuation Coverage Additional Election Notice
• Model COBRA Continuation Coverage Election Notice Under the ARRA

ACCREDITATION
HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE
This program has been approved for 2.0 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.

(The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of this program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.)

THE FLORIDA BAR
The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and Education has accredited this course for 2.0 hour of General Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits. For more information about credit hours, visit the Florida Bar homepage at www.flabar.org.

THE STATE BAR OF GEORGIA
The State Bar of Georgia has accredited this course for 2.0 hours of Regular CLE credits. For more information about CLE credits, visit The State Bar of Georgia homepage at www.gabar.org.

NASBA
This program provides 2.0 credit hours toward Continuing Professional Education (CPE) recertification.

OFFICIAL QAS STATEMENT
The Human Equation is registered with the State Boards of Accountancy as a Quality Assurance Service (QAS) sponsor of continuing professional education. Participating state boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding QAS program sponsors may be addressed to NASBA, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org.

THE COBRA TRAINING & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Provided in conjunction with HRcertification.com, The Human Equation is pleased to offer an eight-hour comprehensive certification program on COBRA. Upon successful completion, earn eight-hours of PHR/SPHR recertification credits and receive a "Certified Administrator" or a "Certified TPA" designation. For more information about this program, visit www.hrcertification.com.