State Continuation Coverage and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

[LOGO] # MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT 501 N. WEST STREET, SUITE 1001 WOOLFOLK BUILDING JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201 www.doi.state.ms.us MAILING ADDRESS Post Office Box 79 Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0079 TELEPHONE: (601) 359-3569 FAX: (601) 359-2474 WATS: 1-800-562-2957 (Incoming - USA) MIKE CHANEY Commissioner of Insurance State Fire Marshal ## MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE BULLETIN 2009-3 TO: ALL LICENSED INSURANCE COMPANIES, THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, AND ANY OTHER COMPANIES THAT WRITE HEALTH INSURANCE AND/OR PROCESS AND PAY HEALTH INSURANCE CLAIMS IN MISSISSIPPI FROM: MIKE CHANEY COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE DATE: APRIL 13, 2009 SUBJECT: STATE CONTINUATION COVERAGE AND THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 (ARRA) On February 17, 2009, the U.S. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which provides premium assistance for certain individuals receiving COBRA continuation coverage. Under the ARRA, beneficiaries of State continuation coverage programs, sometimes referred to as "mini-COBRA" programs, are eligible for the premium assistance if the State program is comparable to the federal COBRA program. The Department has reviewed the provisions of the ARRA, as well as Mississippi's State continuation coverage provisions found at Miss. Code Ann. § 83-9-51, and finds that Mississippi's mini-COBRA law is a comparable State continuation coverage program, such that the benefits available to COBRA beneficiaries under the ARRA shall also be made available to those eligible for State continuation coverage. If there are any questions concerning this Bulletin, please call the Mississippi Department of Insurance at (601) 359-3569. MIKE CHANEY COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE