DOL and EBSA Issue Updated Guidance on Group Health Deadline Extensions

On February 26th, 2021, the United States Department of Labor and Employee Benefits Security Administration issued new guidance regarding group health plan deadline extensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new guidance can be found HERE.

Previous guidance had extended deadlines for employee benefit participants including timeframes for electing COBRA continued health coverage, making COBRA premium payments, requests for special enrollment, filing ERISA benefit claims and appeals and the deadline for employers to provide plan-related notices and disclosures.

This new guidance provides clarification with conflicting deadline definitions regarding last year’s notice and requires benefits administrators to track applicable deadlines by individual.

Employers are encouraged to continue to monitor their plans and apply extensions as applicable.

Learn more HERE.

** This material is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice **