Gain a better understanding of your obligations in health care continuation and how to avoid mistakes.
Group Health Continuation issues have proliferated as both state and federal laws have given employees the right to be off the job but continue some or all of their benefits, and the rise of consumer driven health plans such as HSAs, FSAs, and special programs for small employers.
The consequence is that issues have resulted in employer misunderstanding of their obligations in health care continuation and mistakes-many of which have resulted in lawsuits.
In this highly intensive program, we will explain the basis legal framework of COBRA, and state continuation laws, the relationship of COBRA to other employment laws which employers must consider, and the recurring mistakes employers make and should avoid.
Learning Objectives
- You will be able to review basis legal framework of COBRA.
- You will be able to explain the roles of employers, plan administrators, COBRA administrators, third-party administrators, employees, and dependents in the COBRA process.
- You will be able to recognize common mistakes employers make in health care continuation and how to avoid them.
- You will be able to discuss the do’s and don’ts for employers to ensure compliance with COBRA.
Agenda
Introduction
The Roles Played in COBRA
- Employer
- Plan Administrator
- COBRA Administrator
- Third Party Administrator
- Employees and Dependents
Sources of Law
- Federal Law and Regulations
- State Laws and Regulations
- Federal Pre-Emption
- COBRA and Continuation Rights
- Worker’s Compensation and Coverage
- FSA’s Has’s and Other Plans
Liability
- Who Is Responsible for Mistakes?
- Understanding Fiduciary Liability
- ERISA EPLI Carve out
Mistakes, Lawsuits and Cautionary Tales
Do’s and Don’Ts for Employers and COBRA Contamination Issues
Speakers
Emily E. Noonan,
Robert Noonan & Associates- Employment Counsel at Robert Noonan & Associates, a law firm which represents employers in employment and employee benefit matters
- Focuses on advising clients on day-to-day workplace issues and training supervisors and management on a wide range of topics critical to producing an effective workforce
- Prior professional experience in the legal field included training attorneys and support staff on law firm management issues
- Lectures on a variety of employment topics including FMLA, Drugs and Reasonable Suspicion, and state and federal leave rights and group health continuation
- J.D. degree, University of Connecticut School of Law; B.A. degree (cum laude) Sarah Lawrence College
Robert D. Noonan,
Robert Noonan & Associates- Attorney and founder of Robert Noonan & Associates, a law firm which represents employers in employment and employee benefit matters
- Extensive experience in assisting employers and the complexity of workplace leave rights and group health continuation obligations
- Previously served as Vice President and Counsel for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association
- Is a recognized authority on employment law and employee benefits, and has spoken both nationally and internationally
- J.D. Degree, University of Connecticut School of Law; M.A Degree in industrial and sociology
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for benefits administrators, human resource managers, payroll managers, accountants, controllers, CFOs, finance directors, presidents, vice presidents, business and office managers, insurance professionals, and attorneys.
