Earlier this month, the Department of Labor released COVID-19-related regulations specifically addressing deadline relief for employee benefit plans, plan participants, and plan beneficiaries. MedBen has prepared a summary of these regulations, which is available on the COVID-19 Resource Center at MedBen.com.The Extension of Time Frames regulation aims to help those covered by employee benefit plans and affected by the coronavirus outbreak, by giving them more time to make important health coverage and benefit-related decisions. It mandates the extension of certain plan time frames affecting participants’ rights regarding portability and continuation of group coverage under COBRA. It also extends participants’ time to file or perfect benefit claims or appeals of denied claims.
The regulation is effective as of March 1, 2020 and continues to be in effect until 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency or such other date announced in future guidance. This time period is known as the “Outbreak Period” in the regulation. The National Emergency is the COVID-19 emergency period dictated by the President of the United States and is currently still in effect.
It’s important to note that participants are not required to wait until the end of the extended deadline to act (i.e., enroll, elect COBRA, or appeal a claim). These rules just give them the flexibility to do so if they want or need the extra time. In many cases, participants will want to act immediately within the standard time frames described in the plan.
If you are a MedBen client, we are currently in the process of preparing an amendment for your health plan(s) so you can document compliance with these requirements. Please review the Summary carefully and if you have any questions, contact Senior Vice President Caroline Fraker at 800-851-0907 or cfraker@medben.com.