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The “Temporary Extension Act of 2010” (HR 4691) providing the COBRA subsidy to those workers involuntarily terminated from March 1 through March 31 was signed into law March 2, 2010. Eligibility for the subsidy was due to expire at the end of February.

Additional extensions of the subsidy are currently under consideration. One piece of legislation would extend the subsidy through December 31, 2010.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is working on five new notices. One notice would update the model general COBRA notice. One notice would update the model alternative notice (for use where coverage is subject to State continuation requirements). Another notice would explain the new election period for those having a reduction in hours, followed by an involuntary termination (see below for more on this). Two supplemental notices for individuals who already have received a notice without the ARRA information. Note: None of these notices have been cleared officially by the DOL, yet.

Notice Deadline: Notice must be sent within 60 days to individuals falling into the special reduction of hours category (see below). DOL is contemplating the deadline for the supplemental notices and has not made any definite decision; this will be DOL’s call since the statute does not set a deadline for those who need a supplemental notice.

Reduction in Hours: Under the prior COBRA subsidy laws, a reduction of hours resulting in a loss of coverage and then followed by an involuntary termination would not have resulted definitely in eligibility for the COBRA subsidy. The “Temporary Extension Act of 2010” addresses this scenario.

The “Temporary Extension Act of 2010” gives the COBRA subsidy to individuals who have a qualifying event of reduction of hours occurring anytime from September 1, 2008 through March 31, 2010 followed by an involuntary termination of employment occurring on or after March 2, 2010, but not beyond March 31, 2010.

Individuals satisfying these conditions and who did not make an election of COBRA or who made and discontinued their COBRA election after the reduction of hours are now entitled to a new election period. The period of such individual’s continuation coverage must be determined as though the qualifying event were the reduction of hours of employment. Under the new law, there is no requirement that the individual pay COBRA premiums between the reduction of hours and the involuntary termination. The period between the reduction of hours and the new election of COBRA should not be counted for purposes of determining a 63-day break in coverage.

DOL will provide guidance on this reduction-of-hours scenario shortly.

Please feel free to contact David M. Follansbee, Director of Operations if you have any questions at (888) 322-2524 X531 or dfollansbee@dgb-online.com



Care Coordination links all the important pieces of your Plan together – Patient Advocacy—Disease Management— Wellness Programming—Pre-Certification—Case Management, etc. – for your members simplifying their health care experience with fewer phone calls, questions and confusion. Click here for more information.



We have the solution! TelaDoc Medical Services

TelaDoc is a network of state licensed primary care physicians (PCP's) providing cross coverage consultations’ 24/7/365. TelaDoc physicians diagnose routine, non-emergency medical problems via the telephone, recommend treatment, and prescribe medication (non DEA controlled substances) when appropriate. Click here for more information.



DGB’s Group Scoop is a quarterly email newsletter that’s distributed to our clients and business associates. The goal is to keep you updated on what Diversified is doing as a leader in the TPA industry, provide you with ideas on how your HR staffs can improve processes, keep you current on new and upcoming legislation and get to know our staff members.

The latest edition of the Group Scoop was sent out on July 1st and covered topics such as: Eligibility Reminder: Shared Work, Furlough & Temporary Layoff Programs, ERISA Annual Reporting Requirements: Form 5500, 2010 HSA Limits Announced, Upcoming Seminar Information, DAC Employee’s of the Month, and much more…..

If you did not receive a copy and would like to be added to the mailing list, please email Alison Searles at asearles@dgb-online.com

The Wellness Councils of America presented its coveted Gold Well Workplace Award to Diversified Group Brokerage for 2008. The Gold Well Workplace Award recognizes an organization for its commitment to the health and well-being of its employees.

Brooks Goodison, president of Diversified Group Brokerage says, "I view the Worksite Wellness program within DGB as an essential component of our organization. Wellness has far reaching impacts on morale, absenteeism, presenteeism, loyalty, workman's compensation, productivity and certainly a profound impact on the group health plan as well as both the long term and short term disability plans. In summary, it is a major factor in what it costs us to do business. Our employee's health directly impacts several of our most significant operational expenses which is why we focus a great deal of resources on this program."

For years, Diversified Group Brokerage has realized the importance of worksite wellness and has implemented programs to address the specific health issues facing its employees. Annual health screenings, fitness contests, healthy cooking days, monthly newsletters, educational presentations and team wellness challenges are just a few of the events which DGB employees schedule into their busy days. In addition, personal trainers, nutritionists and nurses are available to answer questions or work one-on-one with individuals. David Hunnicutt, President of the Wellness Councils of America, says "Diversified Group Brokerage has clearly demonstrated that it has made a tangible commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its most valuable asset - its employees. By meeting the rigorous standards necessary to achieve the Gold Well Workplace Award, DGB has demonstrated that it is world-class in its approach to workplace wellness." DGB was awarded a Bronze level Well Workplace Award in 2006 and has spent the last two years working diligently to improve its wellness program to Gold level status.

With more than 2,500 member organizations located throughout North America, WELCOA is highly recognized and regarded for their innovative and results-oriented approach to worksite wellness. Only a handful of companies each year meet the rigorous standards to achieve a Well Workplace Award and, to date, Diversified Group Brokerage is the only workplace in Connecticut to win any level of WELCOA Well Workplace Award for 2008.

Click here take a closer look at the list of current Well Workplace Award winners:
http://welcoa.org/wellworkplace/listings/index.php?act=list&year=2008


On October 1, 2008, Diversified held its 2008 Client Seminar at the Courtyard by Marriott Cromwell...and by all accounts the day was a SUCCESS!!

We gathered a group of respected industry professionals to discuss the major factors influencing today's healthcare system to help our clients and brokers stay on course as they manage their benefits plans. We would like to thank everyone that attended for their time and participation in the day's events.

For your convenience, below you will find copies of the presentations from the seminar. Please contact your DGB Sales Representative if you have any questions or would like additional information on any of these topics at (888) 322-2524 or dgb.marketing@dgb-online.com.

Please take a minute to read a letter from DGB's President, Brooks Goodison. View letter

The Employer Stop Loss Market
Presented by: Jim Hoitt, Vice President of Sales, R.E. Moulton, Inc. A OneAmerica Company
View presentation

A Prescription for Rx Claims
Presented by: Chris Robbins, CEO, Arxcel
View presentation

Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP): Do they work? New regulations.
Presented by: Brooks Goodison, President, DGB
David Follansbee, Director of Operations/Compliance, DAC
View presentation

Subrogation, Reimbursement, Overpayment Recovery & Other Cost Containment Services
Presented by: Adam Russo Esquire, The Phia Group, LLC.
View presentation

Organ Transplant Protection for Self-Funded Groups
Presented by: Russell R. Jehs, VP, AIG Medical Excess
View presentation

Assist America: Travel Assistance Program
Presented by: Angela Vizza, Account Service Coordinator, Assist America
View presentation

Health & Productivity Management & Evolution of Wellness
Presented by: Brian Passon; M.S., Director, Corporate Fitness & Health
View presentation