COBRA notices sent to all covered persons

[Guest Louis Gray]

Is it necessay to generate separate COBRA notices to spouses & children covered under the plan. We have been generating COBRA letters to all covered persons but it is costly with paper, envelopes and postage. Is it sufficient just to send a COBRA notice to the former employee?

[oriecat]

If the spouse is covered, they must receive a notice. Notice to the employee is not sufficient notice to the spouse. If they live at the same address, you can send one notice under both names. You do not need to send separate notices, but the one notice cannot just be addressed to the employee.