COBRA and hipaa Administration -
how to sign up
and information
Forms
Group Enrollment Sign-Up Forms can be downloaded from the website. All original group enrollment information should be mailed to BRS.
New Group Installation
Once COCO has received the new business Set-up Checklist from BRS, COCO will build the Employer information in their systems. Once installed a COCO representative will contact the Employer to schedule a 20-minute installation conference call. During this call the website (www.cobraoutsourcing.com) will be reviewed as well as the duties of the employer. If members are not contacted within 30 days of paperwork submission to BRS, groups should contact BRS. BRS is making this service available, but the relationship is ultimately between members and COCO.
BRS is not liable nor responsible for any aspect of the COBRA and HIPAA coverage, or groups that fail to enroll.
Takeovers of Pending or Enrolled Qualified Beneficiaries (QB)
During the installation call, a COCO representative will begin to organize information on any pending or enrolled Qualified Beneficiaries that need to be transitioned to the COCO system. If there are Takeovers, a form will be provided to the Employer with instructions on how to complete.
Current Employees
During the installation call, a COCO representative will begin to organize information on the current full time employees so their COBRA and HIPAA General Rights Notices can be sent by COCO. A spreadsheet template will be provided to the Employer with instructions on how to complete and e-mail back to COCO for processing.
New Hires
After notifying the carrier of a new plan member, the Employer will communicate to COCO, via www.cobraoutsourcing.com, the necessary information so a General Rights Notice can be provided to the new hire. Additionally, the Employer will notify COCO of any individual who has waived participation in Employer sponsored benefits coverage.
Qualifying Events
After notifying the carrier of any coverage terminations due to a Qualifying Event, the Employer will communicate to COCO, via www.cobraoutsourcing.com, the necessary information to process the COBRA event. Additionally, COCO will generate and send the HIPAA Certificate of Creditable Coverage to the Qualified Beneficiary.
COBRA Reinstatements & Terminations
If the Qualified Beneficiary elects and pays for COBRA continuation coverage within the election periods, COCO will contact the carrier(s) to reinstate COBRA continuation rights. Additionally, COCO will terminate COBRA continuation rights directly with the carrier.
Premium Processing
COCO will invoice each enrolled Qualified Beneficiary for COBRA premium payments. Each premium invoice will instruct the individual to remit payment payable to COCO by end of the grace period. COCO will batch all premiums received on behalf of the Employer and remit one check back to the Employer for all monies received for the coverage month.
Monthly Status Reports
On or about the 5th of each month, Status Reports are published to the COCO website. The Employer will receive an email message instructing them to retrieve and reconcile their reports against the carrier billings. Any discrepancies must be reported to COCO immediately. Reports are produced for the month just ending. For example, July reports are published on August 5th.
Annual Open Enrollment and Premium Changes
COBRA regulations require that current pending and enrolled participants be informed of premium changes 30 days prior to the effective date of that change. It is the member's responsibility to communicate plan renewal rates and benefit changes to COCO.
