What If I’m Not Sure Of The Exact Event Type For Someone?
Contact your Account Manager no later than May 3rd so they can assist you. It is important that you provide accurate statuses in our system. Anyone in an Unknown status will be updated to Eligible to ensure they get the Notice and compliance is maintained. Note there is a fee to you for each Notice sent.
When Is Benefit Strategies Sending Subsidy Notices?
We will be sending them as soon as possible after our system functionality is released on May 15th through the Notice mailing deadline of May 31st.
Are The Notices Required To Be Sent?
Yes, DOL regulations require all identified AEIs be sent the Notice.
What Will We Be Charged For The Notice Mailing?
Benefit Strategies understands this is an unexpected expense to employers, as it is to us. We have worked hard to keep costs down as much as possible. The fee for the Subsidy Notice will be $15 per Notice for all AEIs required to be notified. This fee will be charged regardless of your billing method.
For employees newly experiencing qualifying events during the subsidy period, we will be incorporating the subsidy language into their Qualifying Event Notices. We are doing our best to add this language while keeping the page count to an amount that will not push the QE Notice out of the standard envelope postage costs normally incurred. We will notify you as soon as possible if we need to add a surcharge. DOL requires this language be included with all Qualifying Event notices during the subsidy period, regardless of event reason.
What Should I Expect Next?
This depends on the specific population of AEIs. Those in the “look back” period identified as being AEIs have different steps than those that experience an event during the subsidy period.
Click the link below for our AEI Webpage for next steps for: 1) those in the lookback period who are currently enrolled in COBRA; 2) those in the lookback period not currently enrolled in COBRA; 3) those who are newly experiencing a Qualifying Event through September 30, 2021.
Are There Any Other Notices That Are Required To Go Out Regarding The Subsidy?
Yes, the DOL requires a Subsidy Expiration Notice be sent at the end of the AEIs subsidy window:
- This is only for AEIs that completed the Attestation and received the subsidy
- The DOL requires the Notice be sent 15-45 days prior to the subsidy end date
- The Notice will be available by May 31
- Clients will be charged $15 per Subsidy Expiration Notice sent