The regulations require group health
plans to provide notices to individuals who are entitled to elect
COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985)
continuation coverage of their election rights. Individuals who
wish to obtain the benefits provided under the statute are required
to provide plans notices in the cases of divorce from the covered
employee, a dependent child's ceasing to be dependent under the
terms of the plan, and disability. Most plans will require that
elections of COBRA continuation coverage be made in writing. In
cases where qualified beneficiaries are short by an insignificant
amount in a payment made to the plan, the regulations require the
plan to notify the qualified beneficiary if the plan does not wish
to treat the tendered payment as full payment. If a health care
provider contacts a plan to confirm coverage of a qualified
beneficiary, the regulations require that the plan disclose the
qualified beneficiary's complete rights to coverage.
US Code:
26
USC 4980 Name of Law: Tax on reversion of qualified plan assets
to employer
US Code: 26
USC 106 Name of Law: Contributions by employer to accident and
health plans
US Code: 26
USC 162 Name of Law: Itemized Deductions for individuals and
Corporations
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.