News Notes: COBRA Notice To Employee Must Also Go To Spouse

Employers with 20 or more employees who provide health benefits must notify terminated workers of their continuation rights under COBRA. But a new federal appeals court ruling has confirmed you’re required to separately notify the employee and the worker’s spouse of their COBRA rights.7 To protect yourself, Ina Potter, a partner with the San Francisco employee benefits law firm of Trucker Huss, recommends mailing the notice to the employee and spouse rather than the common practice of handing a notice only to the employee. You can use one envelope as long as both names are on the label. Keep in mind the initial COBRA notice must be delivered to spouses as well.