Compliance December 14, 2004

Bush Inks USERRA Coverage Amendment

December 14, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - President Bush has signed into law language that extends from 18 to 24 months the continuation group health coverage requirements in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act of 1994 (USERRA).
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>The provision was part of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2004 according to Thompson.com.

USERRA’s continuation coverage provisions require that eligible employees who are called up to military active duty have to be allowed to continue group health coverage for themselves (and their spouses and dependents) for up to 18 months. The new law extends that 18-month coverage to up to 24 months. This extension will be provided for individuals electing coverage beginning on and after the December 10 enactment date.

>Separately in the new law, employers must provide an annual notice of USERRA rights and obligations to affected employees (See USERRA Notice Bill Headed for President’s Desk ). This notice can be met through a general posting at the workplace location where the employer provides general employee notices.

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