COBRA Termination Notification?

HR_Matt

We have a former employee who exhausted her 18 months of COBRA. She sent a check for December even though that would be her 19th month. I called her (on 12/8) to tell her that her that I was returning her check as coverage ended 11/30/03. She claims that we were required to give her notice that her 18-month COBRA eligibility had expired, as well as notify her of options to convert her coverage to an individual policy. I have never heard of such a requirement, have any of you?

irenesmsaclaims

If your plan offers conversion, you are required to provide the conversion notice within 180 days of COBRA ending. Not all plans have conversion rights, (nor do they have to) unless your state requires it. Some do. Conversion or not, it is a good idea to notify the ex-employee that COBRA is ending, but not a requirement under COBRA. State law may also override the conversion notice requirement.

HR_Matt

Thanks so much. That is exactly the information I needed.