July 29, 2010

Premium Subsidy for COBRA and Iowa Continuation Coverage

Updated 4/21/2010 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided a premium reduction and extended election opportunities for benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The ARRA is also applicable to all employers who choose to offer continued dental coverage under the Iowa Continuation Coverage (ICC) requirements. ICC applies to employers with less than 20 employees.

The COBRA Premium Subsidy was extended to include the following:

  • Extension of the subsidy eligibly period from April 1, 2010 to May 31, 2010.
  • Extension of the subsidy coverage period from 9 to 15 months. (9 months for employers subject to ICC)
  • Provides retroactive coverage for subscribers who fall within the "transition period." This includes individuals who reached the end of the original COBRA subsidy coverage period and either terminated their Delta Dental coverage or continued it at 100%. (Excludes employers subject to ICC)

Delta Dental will continue to process the premium subsidy for employers as outlined in the original COBRA and ICC communications issued on April 20, 2009. To view these communications, please click on the links below.