Table Of Contents

SECTION 1          INTRODUCTION

1.1                Overview

1.2                Health Care Continuation Rules

1.3                Scope Of Publication

SECTION 2          EFFECTIVE DATES

2.1                The Original Statute

2.2                The COBRA Amendments

2.3                The Regulations

2.4                The Plan Year

SECTION 3          COVERED EMPLOYERS AND PLANS

3.1                Covered Plans

3.2                Exemptions From COBRA Coverage

3.3                Expansion Of ADEA Protection For Group Health Plans

3.4                Role Of State Laws

SECTION 4          RIGHT TO CONTINUE COVERAGE UNDER GROUP HEALTH PLANS

4.1                Employees And Other Eligible Individuals

4.2                Events That Trigger Election Rights

4.3                The Gross Misconduct Exception

4.4                Election Period

4.5                Duration Of Coverage

4.6                Additional Conversion Rules

4.7                Cost Of Continuation Coverage

4.8                Costs Of Pediatric Vaccines

4.9                Family And Medical Leave Act

4.10               Domestic Partners

SECTION 5          NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

5.1                Introduction To Notice Requirements

5.2                Initial Notification Obligations

5.3                Notifications Generated By Qualifying Events

5.4                Sanctions For Non-Compliance

5.5                Special Notification Rules For HIPAA Amendments

5.6                California Health Insurance Premium Program Rules

5.7                California Healthcare Continuation Notices

SECTION 6          ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS

6.1                Excise Taxes

6.2                Exceptions

SECTION 7          THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY SYSTEM

7.1                The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act

7.2                Excluded Plans And Insurance

7.3                Limitations On Preexisting Condition Exclusions

7.4                Discrimination Based On Health Status

7.5                Multi-employer And Multiple Employer Plans

7.6                Sanctions For Violating The Portability Access, And Renewability Rules

7.7                Disclosure Requirements Triggered By A Reduction In Health Benefits

SECTION 8          CALIFORNIA HEALTHCARE CONTINUATION COVERAGE RULES

8.1                Eligibility

8.2                Notification Rules

8.3                Termination Of Supplemental Continuation Coverage

8.4                ERISA Preemption Issues

SECTION 9          CAL-COBRA RULES

9.1                Background Of California Rules

9.2                Coverage Standards And Effective Dates

9.3                Employer Notification Rules

9.4                Obligations Of Insurance Companies

9.5                Costs

9.6                Special Rules For Older Workers

SECTION 10        SUMMARY

APPENDIX A       DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES NOTICE TO TERMINATING EMPLOYEES

APPENDIX B       SAMPLE NOTICE OF HIPAA RULES TO COBRA PARTICIPANTS

APPENDIX C       INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE REGULATIONS

APPENDIX D       DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATIONS

APPENDIX E       MODEL COBRA CONTINUATION COVERAGE GENERAL NOTICE INSTRUCTIONS

APPENDIX F       MODEL COBRA CONTINUATION COVERAGE ELECTION NOTICE INSTRUCTIONS

APPENDIX G       CASE TABLE