Processing Qualified Events Tutorial Video
How a qualified beneficiary’s maximum COBRA eligibility period is determined
Initially, a COBRA qualified beneficiary’s maximum period of eligibility is based on the statutory event that caused the loss of group health plan coverage (the qualifying event [QE]), unless the group health plan provides that the employer must give notice to the plan administrator within 30 days after plan coverage ceases (rather than 30 days after the triggering event), but only if it also provides that the maximum COBRA coverage period commences with the date that coverage is lost.
How to process a qualifying event
If a qualifying event occurs, the employer needs to enter it in their client website.
To process a participant’s qualifying event:
Within the client website, select the top menu option of COBRA.
Select Qualifying Event.
At the prompt, enter the Social Security number for the participant.
When the participant information appears on the page, select Process Qualifying Event.
Update any demographic information (if needed).
Enter the qualifying event date and select the qualifying even reason from the drop-down menu.
Add any covered dependents that are not listed and check the MED/DEN box for the dependent to be listed as a qualified beneficiary.
When finished with adding/updating all information on this screen, click Next.
If your company is paying a portion of the COBRA premium, select a severance package from the drop-down menu.
Select the plan(s) the qualified beneficiary (QB) was enrolled in at the time of the QE and the applicable coverage tier.
Note: “Individually Rated Price” is a monthly premium amount and indicates when a monthly applicable premium varies from one QB to another.
Review the Original Coverage Begin and Last Day of Pre-COBRA Coverage fields for accuracy or update these as applicable. Note: These dates are generally populated based upon your plan setup, although you have the option to override these fields if needed.
When finished with adding/uploading all information on this screen, click Next.
Confirm the QE date, reason, and plan(s) affected.
Enter any employer-paid severance package details here, if applicable.
When finished reviewing/updating, click Finished to see your confirmation.
When all the event information is validated, you can continue processing the QE.
Once the QE is processed, a window will appear showing that the QE has been processed.
Note: A QE should be entered as soon as practicable. If a participant is already on COBRA when the contract goes into effect, he or she must be entered as a takeover continuant.
Expected timeline for COBRA eligibility and notifications
As the employer, you will need to enter the QE into the client portal sufficiently in advance of when the COBRA Election Notice should be mailed, taking into consideration any contractual timeframes for notice creation and generation specified in your administrative services agreements with HealthEquity | WageWorks.*
Please note: The plan administrator remains solely responsible for the timeliness of such communications.
The qualified beneficiary/beneficiaries generally has/have 60 days from the later of the date of the COBRA election notice or the date of coverage loss to elect COBRA coverage after receiving notification.
The deadline by which a qualified beneficiary must elect COBRA has been extended to the earlier of (a) one year from the original deadline; or (b) the date calculated by disregarding the Outbreak Period which began March 1, 2020, and ends 60 days after the announced end of the COVID-19 National Emergency.
Missing coverage or other issues
You can call HealthEquity Client Services to see if there are any issues in the system, such as missing information, regarding eligibility or coverage.
You can also email Client Services with any issues you may have with eligibility or coverage for an employee.
*Services are provided by WageWorks, a HealthEquity company.