COBRA Health Notices Get DOL's Latest Overhaul
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor is updating the paperwork rules for health coverage notices under COBRA, which helps people keep their health insurance after job changes. Employers and plan administrators will need to use new or improved forms to keep things clear and easy. Comments on these changes are open until February 11, 2026, so get your thoughts in soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Employers Must Use Updated COBRA Notices
Private‑sector employers and plan administrators that administer COBRA must use new or improved notice forms (including a general notice, employer notice, notice and election form, employee notice, early termination notice, and unavailability notice) as set out in the Department of Labor's information collection request (OMB Control Number 1210-0123).
COBRA Participants Must Receive Specific Notices
If you are a participant or beneficiary in an employer group health plan subject to COBRA, the plan administrator must distribute specific notices (a general notice, employer notice, notice and election form, employee notice, early termination notice, and notice of unavailability) when qualifying events occur so you may elect temporary continuation of group health coverage.
Estimated Compliance Burden and Costs
The Department of Labor estimates the information collection will affect 750,213 private‑sector respondents with 24,351,126 responses, require a total annual time burden of 524,890 hours, and impose total annual other costs of $19,237,389 under OMB Control Number 1210-0123.
Model Notices Provided To Reduce Provider Costs
The DOL includes two model notices in the information collection request that it believes will help reduce costs for service providers who prepare and deliver COBRA notices.
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