【判例】COBRA期限を守ってかならず伝える

COBRA Notice Deadlines

A federal appeals court decision underscores the importance of clearly defining deadlines in summary plan descriptions and COBRA notices.

Lifecare Hospitals failed to provide a COBRA election notice to a seriously ill employee until four months after his benefits terminated. Although the employee then made a timely election, Lifecare’s insurance company refused to pay hospital bills. The hospital sued Lifecare and its insurer.

The federal trial court ordered the employer to reimburse the health insurance company for the medical expenses because the employer failed to satisfy its duty to provide proper COBRA notice.

判例ではCOBRAの通達をきちんと行うべきと強調された。
今回の例ではベネフィットが切れてから4ヶ月経ってからCOBRAの通達を出したという事実があった。

注意すること
Be certain that summary plan descriptions, plan documents, and COBRA notices provide for a maximum time period during which employees can elect COBRA coverage.

COBRAの通達はCOBRAが適用になる期間に行わなければならない。