Employers are required to provide a COBRA Initial Notice when employees or their dependent spouses first become covered by a group healthplan subject to COBRA.

In an effort to assist employer groups, HCSC has incorporated this notice into the Certificates of Coverage and Benefit Booklet. Although HCSC has taken this extra step, it is the employer group’s responsibility to make this notice available to each covered employee and to the employee’s spouse (if covered under the plan) not later than the earlier of:

• Either 90 days from the date on which the covered employee or spouse first becomes covered under the plan; or
• If later, the date on which the plan first becomes subject to the continuation coverage requirements; or
• The date on which the administrator is required to furnish an election notice to the employee or to his or her spouse or dependent.

For your convenience you may download the complete COBRA notice.