Book Description

COBRA Handbook is designed for benefits professionals,plan administrators, employers, service providers, fiduciaries, attorneys, andothers who must deal with the complexities of the Consolidated Omnibus BudgetReconciliation Act of 1985 as amended (COBRA).The 2013 Edition reviews significant legal developments in theCOBRA arena since the publication of the prior edition and discusses newjudicial decisions issued during the past year. Highlights includeupdated and extensive discussions of the following issues:What types of employee benefit plans are subject to COBRAUnder what circumstances a COBRA qualifying event occursWhat constitutes termination due to "gross misconduct" for COBRA purposesHow a plan administrator can ensure compliance with COBRA's notificationrequirements, and what type of documentation should be retainedUnder what circumstances a plan must notify an individual of the terminationof his or her COBRA coverageAnd much more!The 2013 Edition of COBRA Handbook also reviews in detail therules contained in the IRS and DOL regulations and offers guidance on how tocomply with the various rules contained in the regulations.In addition, COBRA Handbook includes the following features tohelp employers, other plan sponsors, administrators, and consultants inadministrating and complying with this complicated and continuously developingarea of the law:Examples illustrating important conceptsPractice Pointers to help benefits professionals comply with COBRADetailed case citations and notes to help the reader quickly locate relevantportions of the law, regulations, administrative releases, and supportingjudicial decisionsThe full text of the DOL and IRS Final COBRA Regulations, model COBRA notices,and sample COBRA provisions for inclusion in a purchase agreementA glossary containing definitions of the key terms and abbreviations used inthe bookA table of cases at the end of the book providing full citations to relevantjudicial decisions, as well as chapter and section references for each casediscussedA table of COBRA cases grouped by issueA detailed subject indexThe 2013 Edition reviews judicial decisions issued during thepast year, new guidance issued by the IRS, and updates discussions of thefollowing issues:Under what circumstances does a COBRA qualifying event occurWhat constitutes termination of employment due to "gross misconduct" for COBRApurposesHow to ensure compliance with COBRA's notification requirementsPotential damages and liability for COBRA violationsExhaustion of administrative remedies in the COBRA context