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February 22, 2009 at 07:00 PM
The Employee Benefits Security Administration has set up a Web site to help employers comply with the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
One major section of ARRA, also known as the “economic stimulus bill,” will provide government subsidies for laid-off workers who buy Consoldiated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act health benefits continuation coverage.
The government will pay 65% of the COBRA premiums for workers laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009.
“Those who are eligible for other group health coverage (such as a spouse’s plan) or Medicare are not eligible for the premium reduction,” EBSA officials write.
In addition, another wrinkle is that there is no premium reduction for periods of coverage that began prior to Feb. 17, 2009, officials write.
