COBRA Qualified Beneficiary Cannot Skip DOL Expedited Review Process

In the recently decided case of Dorsey v. Holman, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41295 (D.D.C. Apr. 27, 2010) a Washington D.C. law firm terminated their employee, Debra Dorsey, after a year of disability-related leave. The employee elected COBRA in late 2008. Subsequently, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008 (ARRA) was passed in February, 2009, and the employee made the request to her employer to be provided the subsidy following a conversation with a DOL official who confirmed her eligibility for the subsidy.

Read more …

Health Care Reform - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly... a Video Tour

My good friend Dave Cleary (the Video Benefits Guy), has produced a nice overview of the massive Health Care Reform Legislation. He reviews and highlights the landmark changes to benefits and the very substantial new taxes on individuals and employers that you need to know about NOW.

Read more …

DOL Releases New Model COBRA Notices

ARRA, as amended by the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (CEA), mandates that plans notify certain current and former participants and beneficiaries about the COBRA premium reduction.

Read more …