Issue Tracker

COBRA Provisions in Stimulus Bill

On Feb. 17, 2009 President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) into law, also known as the "stimulus bill". The broad package includes COBRA subsidies for people who lost health coverage due to a involuntary job loss between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009. The COBRA provisions took effect March 1, 2009, and requires action by employers including updated COBRA notices, new enrollment options and the implementation of subsidy procedures.

Issue Summary - Impact of the COBRA Subsidy Extension Provisions on Total Rewards Professionals (WorldatWork)
COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under ARRA (DOL)
Issue Summary - Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) COBRA Provisions on Total Rewards Professionals (WorldatWork)

Rules and Regulations — Update on the 111th Congress and Total Rewards Public Policy
workspan, June 2010

Extenders Bill Approved with Defined Benefit Defined Contribution Provisions - COBRA Provisions Deleted
American Benefits Council , May 28, 2010

Obama Signs New COBRA Subsidy Program Extension
Newsline, April 20, 2010

COBRA Premium Assistance Subsidy Extended Again for One Month and Expanded
The Segal Group, Inc., March 9, 2010

Obama Signs Second COBRA Subsidy Extension
Newsline, March 4, 2010

Short-Term COBRA Subsidy Extension Enacted
Buck Consultants, March 4, 2010

Updates to New COBRA Provisions and How They Affect Your Organization
Findley Davies, Feb. 1, 2010

Congress Votes to Extend COBRA Subsidy
Towers Watson, Jan. 28, 2010

Public Policy Issue Summary - Impact of the COBRA Subsidy Extension Provisions on Total Rewards Professionals
WorldatWork, Jan. 22, 2010

DOL Issues Model Notices for COBRA Subsidy Extension
Buck Consultants, Jan. 14, 2010

Federal COBRA Subsidy Extended Effective Immediately
Hay Group, Jan. 11, 2010

COBRA Enrollment Rates Increased Since Subsidy Enacted in March 2009
Newsline, Jan. 5, 2010

Obama Signs COBRA Subsidy Extension
Newsline, Dec. 23, 2009

As the Expiration Date for the Temporary COBRA Subsidy Approaches DOL Clarifies Eligibilit
The Segal Company , Dec. 3, 2009

COBRA Enrollments Doubled Since Federal Subsidy Enacted
Newsline, Aug. 19, 2009

Additional Guidance Merges on COBRA Subsidy
Buck Consultants, June 25, 2009

COBRA Questions and Answers - Form Preparation
Internal Revenue Service, May 1, 2009

COBRA Subsidy May Cause Increased Health-Care Costs, Survey Says
Newsline, April 14, 2009

DOL Updates COBRA Subsidy FAQs
Newsline, April 3, 2009

DOL Updates Guidance on COBRA Expansion
American Benefits Council, April 2, 2009

Federal COBRA Subsidy - Changes and Challenges for Employers
Towers Perrin , April 1, 2009

IRS Guidance Issued on COBRA Premium Subsidy
Newsline, April 1, 2009

New COBRA premium subsidy and notice requirements
Mercer, Mar. 6, 2009

US Economic stimulus plan includes COBRA subsidy provisions
Watson Wyatt Worldwide , Feb. 27, 2009

New economic stimulus law requires immediate employer action on COBRA includes other health measures
Mercer, Feb. 19, 2009

The Stimulus Law’s Temporary Subsidy for COBRA Premiums
The Segal Group, Inc., Feb. 18, 2009

New Economic Stimulus Law Requires Immediate Employer Action on COBRA, Includes other Health Measures
Mercer, Feb. 17, 2009

Stimulus Bill Provides Subsidized COBRA Coverage
Watson Wyatt, Feb. 17, 2009

Stimulus Bill Contains Executive Compensation Provisions, COBRA Subsidy
Newsline, Feb. 16, 2009

Fact Sheet: COBRA Premium Subsidy Expiring? Follow These Tips to Make Sure You Do Not Lose Coverage
Department of Labor, Aug. 26, 2010

FAQs on the COBRA Premium Reduction Extension Provisions Related to the Temporary Extension Act of 2010
Department of Labor, March 22, 2010

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1)

• COBRA Assistance under ARRA (DOL - EBSA)
  • Compliance Assistance Webcast
  • Flyer for: Employers  |  Employees
  • Fact Sheet
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Employers
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Workers & Families
  • Model Notices
  • Application For Review Of Denial Of COBRA Premium Reduction
• Frequently Asked Questions (House Committee on Education and Labor)
• COBRA Health Insurance Continuation Premium Subsidy (IRS)
  • Guidance Notice with Background and Q & A
  • COBRA: Answers for Employers
    Now includes a “reasonable interpretation” rule for determinations of “involuntary termination.
• Full Text - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Conference Committee Report
• H.R. 1 Status (Library of Congress)
• www.recovery.gov

Full Text of COBRA Provisions in Stimulus Package
Mercer, Feb. 19, 2009

Summary of Key COBRA Provisions
American Benefits Council, Feb. 17, 2009