The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows workers who have been involuntarily terminated or experienced a reduction in hours to continue their employer health insurance coverage under COBRA with a 100 percent subsidy. This has led to increased interest in COBRA and compliance. We chat with an expert on some questions we fielded from employers at a recent webinar.
We answer even more of your COBRA ARPA questions on our blog: https://www.wexinc.com/insights/blogs/health/
Learn more about Benefit Comply on their website: https://benefitcomply.com/
Questions our guest provides his thoughts on:
2:10 - Can you break down a few key points of what employers need to know about ARPA?
4:35 - How will employers be reimbursed for the COBRA subsidies by the federal government?
5:57 - What happens if a participant elects coverage but has access to group health coverage? Who is at fault?
7:49 - What are the rules around attestation within ARPA? Is attestation required by ARPA?
9:40 - What happens at the end of the subsidy period? Can someone continue on COBRA? Are there other options available to them?
12:30 - Does the COBRA subsidy apply to the extended COBRA periods, such as for disability?
14:13 - If an employee refuses to return to work after being furloughed, is that a voluntary or involuntary termination?
16:50 - What happens if a member terminates and is rehired by another company and terminates from that company as well. If they are both involuntary terminations, who is responsible for providing subsidized COBRA coverage?
18:13 - What guidance would you give on what plans to offer when the original plans are no longer available?
20:01 - Are members eligible for ARPA under a state continuation?