Posted for Robkt - Special open enrollment needed when increasing empl

[Dave Baker]

My small client employer group (20) wants to increase employee contributions on January 1.

If an employee does not want to absorb the increase - then a qualified event - COBRA would result.

Does there have to be a special open enrollment for this premium increase? The plan renewal is July 1. Thanks. Robkt

[Linda]

How would this result in COBRA?

[Guest robkt]

Linda, I didn't think there was a COBRA event here but the client seemed to insist there was - in the event an employee elected to drop the coverage. Even then, I didn't see a COBRA event. Thanks Robkt

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[Guest bradecki]

An increase in the employee portion of the premium is NOT a COBRA event. If the employee does not want to pay the new premium the employer has no obligation to offer COBRA, but don't forget to send out the HIPAA certificate if they drop the coverage.