AZ USA: Thursday, February 19 - 2009
COBRA Administration Manager will be updated March 1, 2009
COBRA Solutions will release a new version of COBRA Administration Manager on March 1, 2009. The new release will include necessary changes to administer the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Some of the expected software changes are;
- Qualifying event letter will be updated to include information on government provided subsidy.
- Qualifying event letter will also be updated to include the optional 90-day open enrollment period (if elected by the employer).
- A new notice to inform eligible qualifiers of their new 60-day election period.
- A new notice for existing COBRA participants who are eligible for the subsidy.
- Billing procedures will be updated to reflect new COBRA rates for subsidized participants.
- Reports will be updated.
Issues that you will want to think about prior to the release;
- Determine which participants and qualifiers were involuntarily terminated since September 1, 2008 (Use new report found in version 11.3.3).
- Determine whether you wish to allow government assisted participants to switch to alternative health coverage (Optional).
- Coordinate with payroll to revise systems and other procedures for paying the government’s 65% share of the COBRA premium.
- Coordinate with payroll to revise systems and other procedures for obtaining reimbursement of these amounts from the federal government.
Users currently enrolled on our Annual Maintenance Agreement will receive complementary upgrades through the software’s interface. If you are not currently enrolled on or Annual Maintenance Agreement or would like more information about purchasing our software, please call us toll-free at 800-325-1957.