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As a member of MLBMA, MLBMA Agency, L.L.C. (the Agency) can assist you in meeting the COBRA Compliance requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation which mandates that any organization with 20 or more full or part-time employees must provide "temporary continuation" of group health and Section 125 benefits to employees (and covered dependents) upon experiencing a qualifying event.
To quality for these services, your company must have at least one of the Agency's sponsored Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) plans to participate. For convenient payment, the monthly COBRA administration charge is billed with your BCBSM medical invoice, which is sent from the Agency.
COBRA Compliance Services provided by the Agency
- The Agency sends the Initial Notification of COBRA Rights and Obligation letters to your company's insurance enrollees (employees & dependents).
- The Agency sends the Specific Qualifying Event Notification letters to all beneficiaries including plan options, enrollment forms, premium rates, and due dates.
- In compliance with the laws we adjudicate eligibility accurately and consistently.
COBRA elections come right to the Agency. We deal with your ex-employees so you don't have to.
- The Agency fields all questions from your COBRA continuants.
- The Agency creates and sends the monthly billings and handles the premium payment from all COBRA participants.
- We remit premiums monthly to carriers or directly to groups on behalf of the continuants, whichever is preferred.
- Expiration notices are sent prior to the end of the 18th, 29th or 36th month of eligibility.
- The Agency researches and monitors changes to COBRA regulations.
Employer Responsibilities
You must notify the Agency in the required COBRA time frame when employees or dependents are added to the plan.
You must notify the Agency in the required time frame when employees are terminated (voluntary or involuntary), or if there is a reduction of employee hours that may result in a qualifying event.
You must also notify the Agency when any changes are made in your insurance program, including plan changes and rate renewals.
For more information or to enroll in the Agency's COBRA Assistance Program, contact the Agency at (517) 394-5225, then press 3 or by e-mail at jodi@mlbma.org or marianne@mlbma.org | 
