When do plans and issuers need to start providing certificates of creditable coverage?
Plans or issuers do not need to provide certificates before June 1, 1997. However, certain certification requirements apply to periods of coverage and events that occur after June 30, 1996. By June 1, 1997, plans or issuers must arrange to have certificates delivered to ALL individuals who lost coverage, or who began or ended COBRA between October 1, 1996, and May 31, 1997. Plans or issuers who have an option of providing a notice (attached) instead of an actual complete certificate, provided that the plan or issuer furnishes a certificate on request. After June 1, 1997, plans or issuers must arrange to provide certificates in a timely manner to individuals as they lose coverage, or begin or end COBRA. By July 1, 1998, plans or issuers must also provide certificates with the names and individual dates of coverage of all dependents (until they may simply indicate that you had family or spousal coverage).
Plans or issuers do not need to provide certificates before June 1, 1997. However, certain certification requirements apply to periods of coverage and events that occur after June 30, 1996. By June 1, 1997, plans or issuers must arrange to have certificates delivered to ALL individuals who lost coverage, or who began or ended COBRA between October 1, 1996, and May 31, 1997. Plans or issuers have an option of providing a notice instead of an actual complete certificate, provided that the plan or issuer furnishes a certificate on request. After June 1, 1997, plans or issuers must arrange to provide certificates in a timely manner to individuals as they lose coverage, or begin or end COBRA. By July 1, 1998, plans or issuers must also provide certificates with the names and individual dates of coverage of all dependents (until they may simply indicate that you had family or spousal coverage).
