On April 23, a federal district court in Alabama gave final approval to a settlement agreement under which an employer and plan administrator will pay $1.3 million to a group of former employees who alleged they never received COBRA election…
Tag Archives: premium assistance
Court OKs $1.3M Settlement in COBRA/ARRA Class Action
January 29, 2013 – 2:08 pm
Although it admitted no wrongdoing, an employer and plan administrator agreed to pay a $1.3 million settlement to a group of former employees who alleged they never received COBRA election or premium subsidy information after their involuntary termination of employment…
COBRA and ARRA Rules Misread in Slapping Employer with $500 Notice Penalty
February 10, 2012 – 3:57 pm
Here’s one positive pattern in COBRA coverage lawsuits: Even if a plan administrator violated the COBRA law, if it acts reasonably under the circumstances, courts are inclined to mitigate the amount of any penalties. But even though the law is…
DOL Survey to Analyze COBRA Premium Subsidy Up-take
December 9, 2011 – 5:52 pm
To fill in the knowledge gaps on how many individuals enrolled in the COBRA premium subsidy program — data that will be helpful in determining the program’s cost-effectiveness, who best benefited from the subsidy and how to target similar programs…
COBRA’s Top 10: Law Used as Poster Child for the Problems With Government Jargon
December 8, 2011 – 6:41 pm
It’s no surprise to most health plan administrators that the federal law on COBRA continuation coverage was used in a recent newspaper article as an example of “bureaucratic legalese.” In recounting efforts to push the “government to speak plainly,” the…
Premium Subsidy Extension Becomes Law
October 21, 2011 – 2:28 am
Trade legislation that also extends premium subsidies for health coverage under the Health Care Tax Credit (HCTC) program was signed into law by President Obama Oct. 21. The HCTC was enacted as part of the Trade Act of 2002. As…
Premium Subsidy Extension Passes Congress
October 13, 2011 – 5:00 pm
A bill that would extend premium subsidies for health coverage under the Health Care Tax Credit (HCTC) program has been passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, meaning it’s on the way to President Obama’s desk. The…
DOL Clarifies End of COBRA Premium Subsidy Period
August 30, 2011 – 5:25 pm
Keep in mind that some individuals may be eligible for COBRA premium subsidies beyond Aug. 31, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) noted today in updated material on its website. The updated frequently-asked-question on the end of the subsidy…
Resuscitate COBRA Premium Subsidies to Help Unemployed, Commonwealth Fund Says
August 25, 2011 – 12:57 pm
In the waning days of the COBRA premium subsidy, The Commonwealth Fund is calling for the program to be resuscitated as a way to help unemployed and uninsured workers until health care reform is fully implemented. In an Aug. 24…
Health Coverage Premium Subsidies: One Step Closer to Extension?
August 4, 2011 – 6:14 pm
At least in the Senate, a consensus is being reached on trade adjustment assistance that could lead to an extension of premium subsidies under the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program. Here are two snippets from a joint statement issued…