Option 1: Comprehensive Administration
Notifications
When an employee/dependent experiences a "qualifying event," the employer signs into the website and enters the individual as a "Qualifier."
We produce the required notification (updated as required by law) and mail by USPS First Class Mail. If the individual
elects to continue his/her coverage, he/she will contact us (leaving the employer needing no further communication with the individual).
Collect Premiums
The Qualifier will notify us if they elect to continue their medical coverage. We will contact you to let the insurance company
know the Qualifier will be continuing their coverage. We will send monthly coupons to the participant to collect premiums.
Premiums will be sent directly to the employer. When received, logon to the website and enter the payment. This way the system will track payments and notify you if a participant has not made a timely payment.
Multiple Events
Participants normally may continue coverage for 18 months. If they experience one of the following events, we will increase their eligible time frame to 36 months.
- Employee's death;
- Divorce or separation;
- Child loses "dependent status" under the plan; or
- Employee becomes entitled to Medicare.
We will notify you and you would need to contact the insurance company explaining the Multiple Event which occurred to the Participant(s).
Disability Extension
If a Participant's dependent is deemed "disabled" by the Social Security
Administration (SSA) at the time of the initial qualifying event, we will notify the employer and provide an 11 month extension (for a total of 29 months).
We will charge a 50% fee on top of the standard premium that the insurer will charge the group.
Open Enrollment
Arizona mini-COBRA requires the Participant to be notified of plan and rate changes upon renewal. The employer would be required to
notify us of the new plan and rates and we would produce and mail the notices to the Participant(s). Once selected, you will be informed of the Participant's election
and we will begin billing at the new rate.
Mini-COBRA Completion
We will terminate the Participant's Arizona mini-COBRA on the earliest of the following dates:
- On the day the Participant has completed his/her total time frame (18, 29 or 36 months) under mini-COBRA;
- On the paid through date if the participant does not meet the initial 45 day (30 days thereafter) grace period to pay premiums;
- On the day the employee/dependent becomes eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or obtains other coverage; or
- On the day the employer terminates the group plan for all employees.
We will notify you and the Participant that their group continuation coverage has ended. You will be required to notify the insurance company of their termination from the group plan.
Military Administration
The employer will notify us if an employee is in the Military Reserve or National Guard and is called to active duty and
their employment is terminated either after or during their active duty period, the termination will be considered a separate qualifying event
and he/she will be eligible for a new 18 month mini-COBRA period (with qualifying event date of the later of the date active duty ends or
the date of termination. If the employee dies, divorces (or has a legal separation) or has a child experienced a loss of dependent status while on active duty, the
employer should offer a new mini-cobra 18 month period.
Active Duty employees electing to continue coverage and enroll in mini-COBRA ("participants") who then have their coverage terminated because they are enrolled in TRICARE shall
be eligible to re-enroll on mini-COBRA upon losing military coverage. They should be allowed to continue for a total of 18 months of mini-COBRA (regardless of the time spent on
TRICARE.
Employee Communications
Although the notices are thorough, many times employees have questions regarding Arizona mini-COBRA. In the notices, we direct them to contact us with their questions therefore eliminating any uncomfortable conversations you may encounter.
Support
When you subscribe to the Comprehensive Service package, you may call us with your questions. Our support staff can provide advice on how to handle any event as well as website operation.
* This is just a summary of services provided under this agreement. Please contact us with further service requests or questions.
Notifications
When an employee/dependent experiences a "qualifying event," you would sign into the website and enter the individual as a "Qualifier."
The system would provide you with the required notification that you should immediately mail by USPS First Class Mail. If the individual
elects to continue his/her coverage, he/she will send in their Election Form; signifying their desire to continue their group coverage.
Collect Premiums
The Qualifier will notify you if they elect to continue their medical coverage. You will need to contact the insurance company
and login to notify the system the Qualifier will become a Participant. Next, you would produce and send them their coupon booklet.
At that time, you will begin collecting their monthly premium and may keep the 5% administration fee.
On a monthly basis, you would reimburse the insurance company their premiums.
Multiple Events
Participants normally may continue coverage for 18 months. If they experience one of the following events, you will need to increase their eligible time frame to 36 months.
- Employee's death;
- Divorce or separation;
- Child loses "dependent status" under the plan; or
- Employee becomes entitled to Medicare.
Usually, when a Multiple Qualifying Event occurs, the Participant has a rate change. You would login and make the necessary changes to the rate and distribute a new coupon booklet.
Disability Extension
If a Participant's dependent is deemed "disabled" by the Social Security
Administration (SSA) at the time of the initial qualifying event, we will notify the employer and provide an 11 month extension (for a total of 29 months).
We will charge a 50% fee on top of the standard premium that the insurer will charge the group.
Open Enrollment
Arizona mini-COBRA requires the Participant to be notified of plan and rate changes upon renewal. The employer would be required to
notify us of the new plan and rates and we would provide the notices to you for distribution. Once they make a selection, you will go online and make the changes
to their coverage. Once done, you will be able to create new payment coupons to be sent to the Participant(s).
Mini-COBRA Completion
We will terminate the Participant's Arizona mini-COBRA on the earliest of the following dates:
- On the day the Participant has completed his/her total time frame (18, 29 or 36 months) under mini-COBRA;
- On the paid through date if the participant does not meet the initial 45 day (30 days thereafter) grace period to pay premiums;
- On the day the employee/dependent becomes eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or obtains other coverage; or
- On the day the employer terminates the group plan for all employees.
We will notify you and the Participant that their group continuation coverage has ended as well as provide you with the termination letter. You will be required to notify the insurance company of their termination from the group plan.
Military Administration
The employer will notify us if an employee is in the Military Reserve or National Guard and is called to active duty and
their employment is terminated either after or during their active duty period, the termination will be considered a separate qualifying event
and he/she will be eligible for a new 18 month mini-COBRA period (with qualifying event date of the later of the date active duty ends or
the date of termination. If the employee dies, divorces (or has a legal separation) or has a child experienced a loss of dependent status while on active duty, the
employer should offer a new mini-cobra 18 month period.
Active Duty employees electing to continue coverage and enroll in mini-COBRA ("participants") who then have their coverage terminated because they are enrolled in TRICARE shall
be eligible to re-enroll on mini-COBRA upon losing military coverage. They should be allowed to continue for a total of 18 months of mini-COBRA (regardless of the time spent on
TRICARE.
Employee Communications
Although the notices are thorough, many times employees have questions regarding Arizona mini-COBRA. The notices will refer them to you to answer their questions. If you cannot answer them, feel free to email us for assistance.
Support
When you subscribe to the Self-Administration package, you are required to contact us by email with your questions. We will provide a return email answering your questions within 48 hours.
* The major difference between the two options is that Comprehensive Administration option will mail documents and will correspond with the Participant(s) so you do not have to.
This is just a summary of services provided under this agreement. Please contact us with further service requests or questions.