Electing COBRA Administration by UMR: Deadlines and Reminders

If your cooperative is currently enrolled in COBRA administration by UMR, or if your co-op is enrolling for next year, there are a few simple steps you’ll need to follow.

Co-ops currently enrolled will have COBRA administration by UMR preselected in their medical proposal for annual renewal. To complete re-election, maintain the selection and submit a COBRA Set-up Information (CSI) form with 2017 rates to UMR before Monday, November 14. The CSI form is available within the benefit plan rating and renewal feature on the Employee Benefits website or under Help & Resources > Documents for Co-ops > Insurance Plans, then filter for COBRA.

Co-ops wishing to elect COBRA administration by UMR for the first time for 2017 must select it during annual renewal. To complete the election, submit your medical plan proposal with the UMR COBRA option elected, complete and submit a CSI form to UMR within seven calendar days, and complete and submit a COBRA Administrative Services Agreement (ASA) to NRECA within 30 calendar days. NRECA’s COBRA product team will send you a spreadsheet that you will need to populate with your current qualified beneficiaries’ information. UMR will send your co-op a welcome packet and your qualified beneficiaries a takeover notice with payment coupons in December, as soon as 2017 rates and qualified beneficiaries are confirmed. The COBRA ASA and CSI forms are available within the benefit plan rating and renewal feature on the Employee Benefits website or under Help & Resources > Documents for Co-ops > Insurance Plans, then filter for COBRA.

A detailed step-by-step timeline will guide you through the election process for COBRA administration by UMR.

NRECA’s member co-ops that have elected COBRA administration by UMR have dedicated service representatives to assist them with COBRA questions. Service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm CT, at 800.207.1824 or mycobra@umr.com. Representatives’ direct extensions and email addresses can be found in your welcome packet.

If you have questions about electing COBRA administration by UMR or general questions about COBRA, call the NRECA Member Contact Center Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm CT, at 866.673.2299 or send an email anytime to contactcenter@nreca.coop.