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ARTICLE · 13 MAY 2020

DOL Issues COVID-Related Deadline Relief

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The Department of Labor (together with the Treasury Department) has issued helpful deadline relief for participants and beneficiaries in health, disability, other welfare and pension plans, as well as for plan sponsors and ...

United StatesCoronavirus (COVID-19)
Maureen Gorman
Maureen Gorman
Stephanie B. Vasconcellos
Stephanie B. Vasconcellos
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First, the DOL and Treasury yesterday published in the Federal Register a notification announcing the extension of certain deadlines under ERISA and the Code. The agencies expressed concern that without the extension, individuals might miss key deadlines during the COVID-19 outbreak, which could otherwise result in the loss or lapse of group health coverage or the denial of a valid claim for benefits under a pension or welfare plan. For group health plans subject to ERISA or the Code, the relief requires that the period from March 1, 2020 until 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency or such other date announced by the agencies (known as the "Outbreak Period") be disregarded in calculating certain deadlines affecting COBRA coverage (including those relating to qualifying event notification, elections and premium payments) and HIPAA special enrollment rights. For all welfare and retirement plans that are subject to ERISA or the Code, the notification

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