COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended

On Dec. 19, 2009, Congress amended the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), approving an extension of the eligibility period and duration of the COBRA premium subsidy for assistance eligible individuals (AEIs).

The amendment extended the COBRA premium subsidy eligibility period for two months — until Feb. 28, 2010 — and increased the maximum period for receiving the subsidy for an additional six months (from the old guideline of nine months to the new guideline of 15 months). In addition, individuals who had reached the end of their subsidy period now have the opportunity to obtain the subsidy for an additional six months.

New Notification Requirements

Notice to Individuals. Employers must provide notice of the extension to those individuals who, at any time on or after Oct. 31, 2009, but no later than Dec. 19, 2009:

1. were assistance eligible individuals, or
2. experienced a qualifying event related to a voluntary or involuntary termination of employment.

Employers must provide this written notice by Feb. 17, 2010.

Notice Upon Conclusion of Nine-Month COBRA Subsidy Period. Employers must also provide notice to assistance eligible individuals whose continuation coverage was discontinued after the expiration of their nine-month subsidy period (and prior to the new law taking effect on Dec. 19, 2009) due to a failure to pay the COBRA premium. This notice is required to advise them of their right to receive the subsidy for an additional six months if they pay the back premiums. If payment is made, their continuation coverage will be retroactively reinstated. To qualify for this reinstatement, the individual must pay the back premiums by Feb. 17, 2010, or within 30 days from the date the employer provides the updated COBRA premium subsidy notice, whichever is later. Employers must provide this notice within 60 days of the individual dropping coverage or first overpaying for such coverage.

Notice Upon Future Qualifying Events. The COBRA premium subsidy notices should be updated to incorporate these changes and should be distributed in the normal manner for all qualifying events that occur after Dec. 19, 2009.

Individuals who maintained their continuation coverage by paying the full COBRA premium after their subsidy expired are to be reimbursed for the amount of retroactive subsidy to which they are entitled under the new law. They employer may issue a refund directly to the individual or apply the overpayment against future premiums.

For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Web page on COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under ARRA.

Michigan Health Insurance

• Michigan Family Health Insurance
• Michigan Student Health Insurance
• Michigan Medicare
• Michigan Short Term Health Insurance
• Michigan Small Business Health Insurance
• Michigan Medical Insurance
• Michigan Health Insurance

Attention Michigan Residents:
You don’t have to waste your time shopping around for low rate MI Health insurance - and you don’t have to sacrifice quality for price!

Whether you’re self-employed, a small business, family, student or an individual seeking Michigan health insurance, you’ve felt the pinch of rising health care costs. Rather than waste a lot of time searching the Web for the best prices and figuring out which Michigan health insurance plan is right for you (which can be difficult because the comparisons are structured so that you aren’t comparing apples to apples), get help from a knowledgeable source that will walk you through the process and stay within your budget

MI Health Insurance

• Michigan Family Health Insurance
• Michigan Student Health Insurance
• Michigan Medicare
• Michigan Short Term Health Insurance
• Michigan Small Business Health Insurance
• Michigan Medical Insurance
• Michigan Health Insurance

The Highest Quality MI Health Insurance Coverage at the Best Value
At MI Health Insurance we understand the importance of having quality insurance. We also believe that you shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant fees to get it. We’ve established relationships with multiple carriers to lower the price without compromising quality.

Get a Quote Instantly
Michigan Heath Insurance  will save you both time and money - and we’ll get you exactly what you need.

We offer personalized service - so you can talk to a real person about your health insurance needs and have plan benefits and terms fully explained to you - that quickly finds you the best health insurance plan for you at the lowest possible price. Simply fill out our form and we’ll get back to you with a quote within 24 hours.

The Service You Need and the Prices You’ll Like
Unlike other MI Health insurance providers that you’ll find out there, The Focus Group goes beyond basic price quotes, confusing health insurance coverage descriptions, and pages of fine print.
There are caring people behind mymichiganhealth.com that go above and beyond to give you the information, support, and assistance you need to buy the right Michigan Student health insurance plan for your needs. We work with multiple carriers, so we have the relationships and resources to creatively package multiple plans and build a MI health insurance plan that suits you and your lifestyle. One in four Americans delays or forgoes needed care because they simply can’t afford it - don’t be one of them. Contact The Focus Group today to see just how affordable quality health insurance can be.

Ongoing Support Ensures You Have the Protection You Need

After we help you find the right plan at the right price, The Focus Group offers ongoing support. We’re only a phone call away in case you have questions, need help, or your healthcare insurance needs change.

A broker from The Focus Group will contact your shortly to complete your enrollment.