For participants, beneficiaries, and plans in the disaster areas, certain time frames for COBRA, HIPAA, Benefit Claim Procedure Rules have been extended for the period between August 29, 2005 and January 3, 2006. The effect is to freeze the application of the time periods through January 3, 2006.

COBRA

• The 60-day time frame for employees to request COBRA continuation coverage has been extended.
• The time frame for making COBRA premium payments has been extended.
• In regard to the notices Plans must provide in connection withCOBRA continuation provisions, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is requiring agencies to extend these time frames for plans that cannot make their disclosures on time due to the hurricane

HIPAA

• Under the general HIPAA rules, people are given credit for prior health coverage unless the person has gone without coverage for 63 days. This time period has been extended to allow Katrina victims more time to secure health coverage without losing coverage for preexisting health conditions.
• Under the general HIPAA rules, individuals have special enrollment rights upon certain events, such as loss of other coverage, if the individual requests enrollment with 30 days of the loss. Relief has been provided to allow Katrina victims more time to request enrollment in other group health coverage.
• In regard to the notices Plans must provide in connection with HIPAA portability provisions, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is requiring agencies to extend these time frames for plans that cannot make their disclosures on time due to the hurricane
  

Benefit Claim Procedure

Employee benefit plans have to extend the time frames for affected individuals to file a benefit claim and to file an appeal.

Click here to read the News Release.