31 Mar RESCUE PLAN REQUIRES EMPLOYER’S to provide free cobra coverage
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Act”) recently passed into law requires all employers to whom COBRA applies to offer free COBRA coverage for up to six months to workers who lost health insurance due to involuntary termination of employment or a reduction in hours. The requirement goes into effect starting April 1, 2021.
The free coverage is to be offset by tax credits to the entity providing the free coverage. Specifically, the Act provides a mechanism for employers to claim a refundable tax credit for any COBRA premiums waived as a result of the subsidy provision. This credit is claimed by employers through their quarterly Medicare tax filings as an offset to the liability the employer would otherwise have for Medicare taxes.
The new law requires prompt action from employers and health plan administrators.
What is the Benefit?
Eligible individuals are to be provided 100% COBRA premium subsidy for the six-month period starting April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
Who Gets the Benefit?
An individual eligible for benefits under the Act is referred to as an “Assistance Eligible Individual” (“AEI”). An AEI is a COBRA qualified beneficiary who is eligible for COBRA coverage due to involuntary termination of employment or reduction in hours and who actually elects COBRA coverage. AEIs include both the employee and eligible family member dependents. Importantly, an individual who previously declined COBRA or dropped COBRA and who would otherwise currently be eligible for COBRA if a COBRA election were in effect, is eligible for the COBRA subsidy if certain election requirements are satisfied.
How is the Benefit Provided?
Each AEI is deemed to have satisfied the requirement to pay premiums for a maximum period of April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Therefore, AEIs who elected and are currently receiving COBRA coverage should have their premiums waived starting April 1, 2021. AEIs who previously dropped or declined COBRA coverage are allowed a window period to elect coverage during the six month subsidy period.
It is important to note that the subsidy is available only so long as the individual remains eligible for COBRA. The Act does not extend the availability of COBRA coverage beyond the 18 month period following the involuntary termination or reduction in hours. This means, for example, that an employee (or his or her dependents) whose COBRA rights have expired as of April 1, 2021, are not eligible for the subsidy.
What is the Election Process?
AEIs not currently on COBRA will have sixty days from the date they are notified by the employer of the availability of the COBRA premium subsidy to opt in. The Department of Labor (“DOL”) is mandated to publish model notices within 30 days of the Act’s passage. Whether the DOL meets this requirement or not, employers are required to notify AEIs of their election option by May 31, 2021. AEIs have the right to retroactive subsidized coverage back to April 1, 2021. Their subsidized coverage does not expire until the end of the individual’s maximum COBRA coverage period or September 30, 2021, whichever is later. The Act also requires employers to notify each AEI no more than 45 days, but no less than 15 days before his or her subsidy termination date that their subsidized coverage will end (with such date listed in the notice), and state that coverage may be available through unsubsidized COBRA or group health plan coverage.
What Should Employers Do Now?
Employers should work with their COBRA vendors to coordinate not only communication of the required notices, but also to determine which former employees and dependents will be eligible to receive notice. Employers should also modify existing notices for any individuals who become eligible for COBRA coverage during the subsidy period. Finally, employers should work with their COBRA vendors and tax experts to clarify their understanding of which entity is actually providing the subsidy and, accordingly, which entity is entitled to claim the tax credits.
Client should feel free to contact the attorneys of Masud Labor Law Group with any questions or concerns.