The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009 by President Obama.

The ARRA was amended by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (2010 DOD Act), the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (TEA) and the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (CEA). This Act extended the COBRA premium reduction eligibility period for 5 months until May 31, 2010 and increased the maximum period for receiving the subsidy for an additional six months (from 9 to 15 months).

ARRA provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly called COBRA. The law gives “Assistance Eligible Individuals” the right to pay reduced COBRA premiums for periods of coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009. The premium reduction may continue for up to 15 months.

To be considered an “Assistance Eligible Individual” and get reduced premiums you must be a COBRA qualified beneficiary who meets all of the following requirements:

• MUST be eligible for continuation coverage at any time during the period from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2010;
• MUST elect COBRA coverage (when first offered or during the additional election period provided by the ARRA);
• MUST have a continuation coverage election opportunity related to an involuntary termination (other than gross misconduct) of employment that occurred at some time from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2010;
• MUST NOT be eligible for Medicare;
• MUST NOT be eligible for coverage under any other group health plan, such as a plan sponsored by a successor employer or a spouse’s employer.
• MUST make timely premium payments; AND
• MUST still be within the COBRA continuation coverage period (generally up to 18 months from the qualifying event).

Click here or call 1-866-444-EBSA (3272) to learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

If you are a Subscriber and currently on COBRA administered by Delta Dental of Idaho click here to login and learn more about your specific plan.