Q.- I just started at a new company as HR director. At my last company, we sent a COBRA notice to everyone who enrolled in the health plan. This company only sends a notice when an employee has a COBRA qualifying event. Is there a requirement to send an initial notice describing the COBRA rules?
A.- Yes. The initial COBRA notice you are referencing is called the “General Notice” by the Department of Labor. Group health plans must give each employee and spouse a general notice describing COBRA rights within the first 90 days of coverage.
