U.S. Department of Labor
Health Benefits Advisor for Employers
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
Do you, the employer, notify your plan administrator about the above qualifying events within the required time limit?
Qualifying Events - When an Employer Must Provide Notice
The employer is required to notify the plan administrator if the qualifying event is:
- A termination or reduction in hours of employment of the covered employee;
- The death of the covered employee;
- The covered employee's becoming entitled to Medicare; or
- If the plan provides retiree health coverage, the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy with respect to the employer.
The employer has 30 days after the event occurs to provide notice to the group health plan. If the employer is also the plan administrator and must provide a notice of qualifying event to the plan, the plan administrator shall provide an election notice to each qualified beneficiary not later than 44 days after the date of loss of coverage due to the qualifying event, or the date on which the qualifying event occurred.
