As we all continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, OCA continues to be laser-focused on protecting our clients and business operations to prevent any potential disruption to our service delivery.

We’re in this together

Given our shift to work-from-home operations and other proactive measures we have undertaken, we have decided to provide proactive updates as often as we can. Our intention is to give you complete confidence that we are here for you, and that you can expect “business as usual” from us. We will update you with any new regulations and/or operational changes as it relates to COVID-19.

COBRA Compliance Toolkit

During this time, employers should be aware of all their COBRA obligations, procedures, and timelines to ensure they remain in compliance with government regulations. Failure to comply with COBRA can lead to significant financial consequences.

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COVID-19 FAQs

Are Over-the-Counter Drugs now FSA/HSA eligible?

Yes! On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act was signed into law. The bill included a change impacting the use of funds from HSA, FSA, and in some instances HRA health benefit accounts. The bill reverses the prescription requirement for Over the Counter Drugs (OTC) for reimbursement and also includes eligibility for menstrual care products. The bill had a retroactive start date of 1/1/20. OCA will now be able to manually reimburse OTC drugs when eligible under a member’s HSA, Health FSA and/or HRA benefit account.

Are menstual products now FSA/HSA eligible?

Yes. Menstrual products are now eligible for purchases incurred on/after January 1, 2020. It does not have an expiration date. Menstrual care products are defined as tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation.

Are telehealth services covered by an HSA?

The CARES Act states that “telehealth and other remote care services” below the deductible will be permitted in an HSA-compatible high deductible health plan (HDHP). This provision is effective immediately and will expire December 31, 2021. The bill does not specify what “telehealth and other remote care services” entails, but we will provide updates as we learn more. We will keep you informed of any other legislative and regulatory activity relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and CDH.

Has the Deadline by Which Qualified Beneficiaries Must Elect COBRA Been Extended?

The Federal government has extended certain COBRA deadlines for COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries should they need additional time due to the current pandemic. During the period beginning March 1, 2020 through the date that is 60 days after the declared end to the National Emergency (“Outbreak Period”), the COBRA periods below are tolled, but not more than 1 year. Thus, the new due date for any of the COBRA related events below is the earlier of 1 year from the otherwise applicable due date or 2. 60 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to elect COBRA.

For example, if the due date to elect COBRA would otherwise be May 1, 2021m then you must elect by the earlier of May 1, 2022 o 60 days after the Outbreak Period.

Have the Deadlines for Paying COBRA Premiums Been Extended?

The Federal government has extended certain COBRA deadlines for COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries should they need additional time due to the current pandemic. During the period beginning March 1, 2020 through the date that is 60 days after the declared end to the National Emergency (“Outbreak Period”), the COBRA periods below are tolled, but not more than 1 year. Thus, the new due date for any of the COBRA related events below is the earlier of 1 year from the otherwise applicable due date or 30 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to make a monthly premium payment.

For example, if the May 2021 premium would otherwise be due May 31, 2021, then you must pay the May 2021 premium by the earlier of May 31, 2022 or 31 days after the end of the Outbreak Period.

NOTE: Please note that you must elect and pay your initial premium to start coverage (i.e., it is retroactively reinstated). And if you fail to pay subsequent premiums by the otherwise applicable due dates, your coverage will be suspended until you have timely paid your COBRA premium(s). Once such timely payment is received, coverage will be reinstated retroactively (or if not suspended, it may be retroactively terminated if you do not make timely payment). In addition, if you do not pay your premiums for multiple months during the Outbreak Period and you find that you need coverage for those months, you will have to pay the premiums for all such months in order to reinstate the coverage. Consequently, it is recommended that you elect and pay your premiums by otherwise applicable deadlines if you can.

OCA COBRA Extension Workflow

On April 29, 2020, the Federal government extended certain COBRA deadlines for COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries should they need additional time due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. During the period beginning March 1, 2020 through the date that is 60 days after the declared end to the National Emergency (“Outbreak Period”), the COBRA periods below are tolled, but not more than 1 year. Thus, the new due date for any of the COBRA related events below is the earlier of 1 year from the otherwise applicable due date or:

1. The 60-days after the end of the Outbreak Period to notify the plan administrator of a qualifying event (including a second qualifying event) or a disability determination;

2. 60 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to elect COBRA;

3. 45 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to make the first premium payment;

4. 30 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to make a monthly premium payment


To ensure our partners, clients, and participants are fully aware of the COBRA Extension Deadlines, the below bullets outline OCA’s communication strategy as it relates to different COBRA notices. For additional information on OCA’s COBRA communication workflow to existing/new qualified beneficiaries, please log into OCA’s COBRA portal.



COBRA Notices


COBRA Election Notice: COBRA Election Notices sent as of May 11, 2020 will include OCA’s COBRA extension language. For elections processed on/after 5/11 (and until the end of the Outbreak Period) OCA will postpone sending the “Failure to Elect Notice” if election is not made within the standard 60-day time-frame. Instead, OCA will generate “The Failure to Elect” notice when the Outbreak Period has ended, and OCA is able to determine the 60-day election time frame. Regardless, OCA encourages employers to terminate coverage at the time of the qualifying event and not reinstate coverage until if/when a COBRA election is made. NOTE: In deciding whether to terminate coverage at the time of the qualifying event, you must confirm with the insurance carrier (including any stop loss carrier) that coverage will be retroactively reinstated without limitation to the extent that the election and initial premium payment are both timely made. Some insurance carriers limit retroactive reinstatements to 60 days. If there are limitations on retroactive reinstatement’s, you may have to maintain active coverage for qualified beneficiaries following the qualifying event subject to retroactive termination if the election and firm premium payment have not been made.

Failure to Elect Notice: OCA will send the Failure to Elect notice (and include the extension notice) to any Qualified Beneficiary (“QB”) who did not originally receive the updated COBRA election notice. This will allow OCA to communicate the extension deadlines to all eligible QBs.

Failure to Remit Payment Notice: OCA will continue sending out the Failure to Remit Notice (and include the extension notice) if/when payment is not received within the 30-day grace period. Based on IRS guidance, during the extension, you can terminate coverage due to not paying premium timely. However, the key will be whether the carrier will be willing to reinstate coverage after all those months if they are terminated. NOTE: In deciding whether to terminate coverage when a monthly premium is not paid by the end of the grace period, you must confirm with the insurance carrier (including any stop loss carrier) that coverage will be retroactively reinstated without limitation to the extent that the monthly premium payment is timely made. Some insurance carriers limit retroactive reinstatements to 60 days.

Additionally, OCA has posted the Federal Governments guidance on our COBRA portal for brokers, employers, and qualified beneficiaries to access. Below is a snapshot of the additional notice. For additional information on OCA’s COBRA communication workflow to existing/new qualified beneficiaries, please log into OCA’s COBRA portal.