Q.- We processed a COBRA qualifying event letter with Cobra Control Services a month ago. We just now realize that when the employee terminated employment, he gave us a new address. We sent the letter to the old address. Do we have to do anything to correct the mailing?
A. Yes. If you are aware that you mailed the qualifying event letter to the wrong address, and if the employee makes a claim that he did not receive the right to a COBRA election, you might be considered to not have met your COBRA notice obligations. The election notice must be sent to the last-known address of the qualified beneficiary. It would be best-practice to re-send the notice to the correct address and adjust the election period accordingly.