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COBRA FAQ — When must qualified beneficiaries be notified?

Within 14 days after the plan administrator receives the notice of a qualifying event under COBRA, qualified beneficiaries must be notified of their right to elect continuation coverage.

The election notice must include:

• The name of the plan and the name address and telephone number of the plan's COBRA administrator;
• Identification of the qualifying event;
• Identification of the qualified beneficiaries (by name or by status);
• An explanation of the qualified beneficiaries' right to elect continuation coverage;
• The date cover will terminate (or has terminated) if continuation coverage is not elected;
• How to elect continuation coverage;
• What will happen if continuation coverage is available, for how long, and how it can extended for disability or second qualifying events;
• How continuation coverage might terminate early;
• Premium payment requirements; including due dates and grace periods;
• A statement of the importance of keeping the plan administrator informed of the addresses of qualified beneficiaries; and
• A statement that the election notice does not fully describe COBRA or the plan and that more information is available from the plan administrator and in the SPD.

A model election notice can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor website.

Back to COBRA frequently asked questions