Key Benefit Plan Participant Deadlines Extended During COVID-19 Outbreak
Highlights
During the COVID-19 pandemic, employee benefit participants have been given more time to request special enrollment into a medical plan
For COBRA continuation coverage, notice periods, elections periods, and premium due dates have been extended
Administration of these extended time periods are likely to be challenging for employee benefit plans and their administrators
Employee benefit participants now have relief from deadlines and other requirements imposed by law and regulations. The Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Treasury (Treasury), and the Internal Revenue Service (together, Agencies), issued a joint notice of relief extending timeframes under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code for group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, and participants and beneficiaries of these plans during the COVID-19 National Emergency (Joint Notice).
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