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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear OEBB Benefits Administrators, Business Managers, and Premium Contacts –
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) was signed on March 11, 2021. This new federal law subsidizes the full COBRA premium for “Assistance Eligible Individuals” (AEI). This premium assistance is available April 1, 2021 through September
30, 2021.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An AEI qualifies for COBRA premium assistance if they:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo1">lose benefits due to an involuntary employment termination or work hours reduction, AND<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo1">are not eligible for other group health coverage (a new employer or spouse’s employer plan), AND
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo1">are not eligible for Medicare, AND<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo1">are eligible and elect COBRA during the subsidy period.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Employers are responsible for paying 100 percent of an AEI's COBRA premium during the subsidy period (April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021). You will be reimbursed by the federal government through:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2">a credit against payroll taxes, and (if applicable)<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2">an overpayment refund for credit amounts exceeding payroll taxes.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Employers that don’t satisfy COBRA continuation coverage requirements may be investigated
<span lang="EN">by the Department of Labor. They may also be </span>subject to an excise tax under the Internal Revenue Code.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">OEBB currently contracts with BenefitHelp Solutions (BHS) for our COBRA needs. Together we have developed the following process to determine subsidy eligibility:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">BHS will send legally required COBRA notices to all current COBRA members and those newly eligible, no later than May 31, 2021.
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">BHS will also send an attestation form. This form outlines the subsidy eligibility requirements. The beneficiary will need to sign and date the form attesting that they are eligible for the subsidy program
if they wish to enroll. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">BHS will send OEBB a weekly list of members who wish to enroll and have attested they are eligible for the subsidy. We will send you your list of members, asking you to note their termination reasons (involuntary,
voluntary, or reduction in hours) and return your list to OEBB.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">OEBB will send the lists to BHS.
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">BHS will enroll those you have confirmed as eligible (referred to as “eligible beneficiaries”) into the COBRA subsidy program.
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">BHS will enroll eligible beneficiaries (and their dependents, as applicable) retroactively effective April 1, 2021.
<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This completes the first part of the process. We are currently working out the invoice and billing process. We will provide those details once we have a solution in place.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for your patience as we work through compliance with this law. Our number one goal is to create a simple process with the least amount of additional work for you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have questions about: <o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">eligibility for the subsidy, please call BHS at 1-800-556-2230.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">the process, please email Sheila Clausen, OEBB/PEBB Policy Analyst at:
<a href="mailto:SHEILA.C.CLAUSEN@dhsoha.state.or.us">SHEILA.C.CLAUSEN@dhsoha.state.or.us</a>.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ali Hassoun<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Director <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oregon Educators Benefit Board / Public Employees’ Benefit Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oregon Health Authority – Health Policy & Analytics<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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