COBRA Dependent Notification

kcombs · January 2003

Are we required to send COBRA notification letters to dependents under 18 years of age? It doesn't make sense to me to have to send a COBRA notication letter to a 2 year old dependent. Any comments would help. I have placed a call to our COBRA contact but she has not returned my call. I thought this method may be quicker. Thanks

bsa · January 2003

I believe that the law allows that the notification be sent to the adult responsible for the child's health care. If the parents are divorced, send the letter to the parent who has custodial custody. In these days of joint custody, send the letter to the parent who is not your ex-employee. In other words, make sure all parties concerned have the option to elect or decline for the minor child.

HRMaiden · January 2003

Another piece of advice I picked up from a seminar was that if you don't have an address for the custodial parent who is not your ex-employee, you can send the COBRA notification to the Child Support Agency with a cover letter asking them to forward it on to the custodial parent. In most cases, you have the address for the child support agency as your payroll department has probably been deducting child support payments from your ex-employee's wages.

LindaS · January 2003

I agree. I recently attended a meeting where this question was asked of a labor attorney and that is the same response she gave.

kcombs · January 2003

That answers my question. Thanks for your help.

COBRA Dependent Notification

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