Q.- Are we required to send COBRA qualifying event notices by certified mail to make sure they are received?
A.- No. In fact, sending the qualifying event letter and election form by certified mail and not receiving a certification of acceptance would show that the qualified beneficiary did not receive the notice. The COBRA rules require notices be sent by first class mail. It is good practice to obtain a certificate of mailing from the post office and keep a log of letters sent. If you use BAS’ Cobra Control Services for your COBRA administration, CCS does retain proof of mailing from the post office and all QELs are documented in MyEnroll360.
Benefit Allocation Systems (BAS) provides best-in-class, online solutions for: Employee Benefits Enrollment; COBRA; Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs); Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs); Leave of Absence Premium Billing (LOA); Affordable Care Act Record Keeping, Compliance & IRS Reporting (ACA); Group Insurance Premium Billing; Property & Casualty Premium Billing; and Payroll Integration.
MyEnroll360 can Integrate with any insurance carrier for enrollment eligibility management (e.g., Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna, United Health Care, Kaiser, CIGNA and many others), and integrate with any payroll system for enrollment deduction management (e.g., Workday, ADP, Paylocity, PayCor, UKG, and many others).
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or benefits advice. Readers should not rely on this information for taking (or not taking) any action relating to employment, compliance, or benefits. Always consult with a qualified professional before making decisions based on this content.
