Who is responsible for COBRA notifications and how do they go about handling them?
A general guideline is that GoCo does not process anything related to COBRA, but we do help notify the responsible party when an action needs to be taken. Who processes COBRA notifications is discussed during your implementation process with GoCo.
Who is my COBRA Processor/Responsible Party?
Here are a two common scenarios you may face when it comes to handling COBRA after a qualifying event occurs.
- Responsible party (RP) received a notification in the Benefits Sync Dashboard stating that they need to "offer continue coverage". RP will then need to contact COBRA administrator. The administrator will then reach out to the terminated team member and go over all their offers.
- If you are using one of our integrated partners like Ameriflex, and GoCo is the assigned Responsible Party. You don’t have to worry about taking action. GoCo receives the notifications and will take it from there.
GoCo has partnered with Ameriflex to ensure that COBRA notifications are sent out promptly and accurately. When a qualifying event occurs, Ameriflex will send out the COBRA packet to the employee and collect premiums on behalf of the employer. If you have any questions about the partnership or COBRA in general, please reach out to us at help@goco.io.
Some other uncommon scenarios that may occur could be
- You are an employer under 20 employees so your process will vary by state. For the most part you don't have to worry about taking any action but always check with your state to ensure you are compliant.
- GoCo did not notify a continuation of coverage after posting a dated termination. If a back date termination is posted further than 30 days, GoCo will not be triggered to notify a continuation of coverage.
- If a team member is terminated for gross misconduct (term reason in GoCo) a notification will not generate. The team member is not eligible for COBRA.
Not sure who is responsible for receiving notifications regarding COBRA?
Here's how to check how!
- Login to GoCo and click "View" on the Benefits Card
- Next click on "Settings" tab at the top of the page.
- From here expand the Benefits Processor card so you can see the list of Benefits Lines and the assigned processors for each line.
- As you can see in the example above the HR Admin for Sunflower Co. would be responsible for moving the process forward whether that be contacting their COBRA vendor or handling it themselves within their company.
If you don't have a COBRA vendor please let your CSM know and they will lead you to our preferred vendor.
Below is an example of what a notification regarding COBRA looks like in your Benefit Sync Dashboard.
If you have additional questions, please let us know using help@goco.io! 🦖