Two New Online Programs for [Reseller Partners'] Benefit

(The following text will be sent to our Reseller Partners on Monday, June 29, 2009. If you would like to learn about becoming a Reseller Partner, please call us at 1.800.945.5513 and choose menu item #3.)

We are preparing to launch two valuable online services for your use including: (1) an Online Broker/Resellers Portal and (2) an Online Account Setup Program:

 The Broker/Reseller Portal (RP) will provide you with 24/7 access to important information about your clients. Key features will include quick data views, rate renewal reminders and reporting capabilities. For Resellers who manage their clients’ data, you will be provided a single-sign on User Id and Password for all of your accounts.

 The Online Account Setup (OAS) will provide you with 24/7 access to setting up an account for COBRA and FSA/HRA services along with electronic contracting. Thus, vastly improving and speeding up the process of setting up new accounts (i.e., eliminating our setup binder process containing paper forms and contracts). In fact, you will and your staff will be able to setup and contract new COBRA, FSA and HRA accounts in minutes! 

Setting Up Your Account and Users

To prepare your organization for use of the RP and OAS, we need some information completed and returned to us, so we may update our systems. Once we receive this information, we will send email invitations to each of your users you identify on the attached form that will explain how they can go online confirm their personal information and access the RP and OAS.

 User Types

There are four types of RP and OAS users. Please refer to the attached ”User Types” defined on the attached Reseller User Identification Form enclosed with this letter.

 Effective Dates

RP and OAS are in production and ready for your use. Beginning July 1, 2009, all account submissions for COBRA and FSA/HRAs will need to occur through OAS or be subject to an additional $350 processing fee.

 Next Steps – Confirming Personal Data & Obtaining User IDs & Password

Once you return the attached form listing all of your authorized users, we will send each  of your users an email invitation to link through to our Reseller Setup program that will present each user their personal data and allow them to make necessary changes.

 Once they complete their personal data review, instantly, MyEnroll.com will send them two emails; one with their User IDs and one with their Passwords. These emails will also instruct them how to use their User IDs and Passwords to access the Reseller Portal on MyEnroll.com.

Next Steps – Training

We are readily available to provide you with a web-based demonstration of both RP and OAS. If you would like to arrange a personal training session, please send us an email to Training@BASusa.com or call our trainer Ro Susko at 1 (610) 992-2560.

Questions

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Robin Block at (610) 992-2516 or RBlock@BASusa.com.

We’re Ready for Changes to COBRA Regulations

We have been hearing from our client employers about the potential changes to COBRA administration resulting from the pending Economic Stimulus Bill and related proposed legislations ( Go to H.R. 589 ).

Importantly, we have been following all COBRA-related proposals carefully. Though we expect changes to H.R. 598 by the time it becomes law, we would like our clients to know that we are prepared with our legal advisors and our team of full-time software engineers to modify our processes, notices, and software to comply with any new regulations.

Please refer back to this site for updates on this important matter. If you would like to speak with us about the proposed changes, please feel free to contact us at info@cobracontrol.com or 888-887-6187.

HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED ACT OF 2009 Brings Changes to COBRA Administration

Significant changes are coming to COBRA administration. Currently, the House H.R. 598 and Senate S. 29 are considering proposals that would subsidize coverage and expand the amount of coverage available for older and long-tenured employees. These changes will likely require more complex COBRA administration and updates to initial rights notices, qualifying event notices, and premium collection processes.

Once the COBRA legislation is finalized, Cobra Control Services, LLC will offer free webinars on the COBRA changes and offer detailed guidance for employers.

Highlights of the legislation affecting COBRA include:

· Premium assistance (65 percent of the COBRA premium) for up to 12 months for those who elected COBRA from September 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009. This would apply only to involuntary employment terminations (for reasons other than gross misconduct). The employer would pay this subsidy to the carrier (for fully insured plans) or absorb the subsidy (for self-funded plans) and receive credit for it through reduced payroll taxes.

· A new 60-day election period would exist for those who did not elect coverage during that time.

· New notice requirements would take effect.

· Expanded COBRA coverage would be in place for employment termination or reduction of hours of employment qualifying events for employees who are at least age 55 or had 10 or more years of service. This coverage could continue beyond 18 months until any other termination reason occurs (e.g., Medicare entitlement, failure to pay).

These provisions could significantly increase the percentage of beneficiaries opting for coverage

Cobra Control Services, LLC has begun preparing for these changes on behalf of its COBRA administration clients. We expect the bill could reach President Obama’s desk within the next 15 days.

We will keep you apprised as this legislation’s progresses. For more information, you may contact us at info@cobracontrol.com or 888-887-6187.

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