Discover five major employee benefit changes for 2026—from higher dependent care FSA limits to permanent telehealth flexibility and new fertility options.
EBC Insights
The Power of Proactive Planning: COBRA Administration Transitions Done Right
As summer begins, many employers are already preparing for the upcoming open enrollment season. While COBRA administration may not always be top of mind during this planning phase, the timing of a…
Benefits in Uncertain Times
In today’s volatile economic landscape, businesses are grappling with unprecedented challenges. The recent imposition of tariffs and the elimination of government contracts have led to significant disruptions, particularly for small businesses. For some…
Who’s Responsible for COBRA During a Merger or Acquisition?
When organizations go through a merger or acquisition, it is important to understand who is liable for offering employees and qualified beneficiaries COBRA coverage. This includes current COBRA…
Avoiding Common COBRA Pitfalls
Managing COBRA can be difficult for employers. Between navigating regulations to handling time-sensitive notifications, there are many places for issues to arise. By avoiding common pitfalls and leveraging professional expertise, employers can streamline…
Navigating COBRA: A Cautionary Tale Against Self-Administering
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985 requires most companies that sponsor group health plans to offer their health plan participants and the participants’ families…
The COVID-19 Outbreak Period Is Ending. Now What?
COVID-19 relief for group health plans has been winding down over the last couple of years, and one of the last parts to expire is the outbreak period deadline extensions, which are set to end in relationship…
COBRA Notices – Important Then, Important Now
COBRA Notices are as important now as ever! The COBRA deadline extensions that began in 2020 as a result of the pandemic are still in place – what does this mean for employers and qualified beneficiaries?
Managing Your Own COBRA Program Might Be Fine – A Very Steep Fine
Self-administration might just mean a host of legal headaches and financial penalties. Learning the Hard Way There’s a very good reason why so many employers rely on third-party administrators…
Retiree Health Benefits and COBRA
Employers often incorrectly assume that they don’t need to offer COBRA if they offer retiree health benefits or they misunderstand when and to whom COBRA must be offered. Unfortunately, these types of common COBRA errors can lead to significant risk…