Title 29 — Labor
Part 6 · Chapter 18 — Employee Retirement Income Security Program
§ 1165. Election
Statutory text
In general
For purposes of this part—
Election period
The term “election period” means the period which—
begins not later than the date on which coverage terminates under the plan by reason of a qualifying event,
is of at least 60 days’ duration, and
ends not earlier than 60 days after the later of—
the date described in subparagraph (A), or
in the case of any qualified beneficiary who receives notice under section 1166(4) 1 of this title, the date of such notice.
Effect of election on other beneficiaries
Except as otherwise specified in an election, any election of continuation coverage by a qualified beneficiary described in subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) of section 1167(3) of this title shall be deemed to include an election of continuation coverage on behalf of any other qualified beneficiary who would lose coverage under the plan by reason of the qualifying event. If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.
Temporary extension of COBRA election period for certain individuals
In general
In the case of a nonelecting TAA-eligible individual and notwithstanding subsection (a), such individual may elect continuation coverage under this part during the 60-day period that begins on the first day of the month in which the individual becomes a TAA-eligible individual, but only if such election is made not later than 6 months after the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage.
Commencement of coverage; no reach-back
Any continuation coverage elected by a TAA-eligible individual under paragraph (1) shall commence at the beginning of the 60-day election period described in such paragraph and shall not include any period prior to such 60-day election period.
Preexisting conditions
With respect to an individual who elects continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (1), the period—
beginning on the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage, and
ending on the first day of the 60-day election period described in paragraph (1),
shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the 63-day periods referred to in section 1181(c)(2) of this title, section 2701(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act,1 and section 9801(c)(2) of title 26.
Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
Nonelecting TAA-eligible individual
The term “nonelecting TAA-eligible individual” means a TAA-eligible individual who—
has a TAA-related loss of coverage; and
did not elect continuation coverage under this part during the TAA-related election period.
TAA-eligible individual
The term “TAA-eligible individual” means—
an eligible TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 35(c) of title 26), and
an eligible alternative TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section).
TAA-related election period
The term “TAA-related election period” means, with respect to a TAA-related loss of coverage, the 60-day election period under this part which is a direct consequence of such loss.
TAA-related loss of coverage
The term “TAA-related loss of coverage” means, with respect to an individual whose separation from employment gives rise to being an TAA-eligible individual, the loss of health benefits coverage associated with such separation.
Footnotes
- 1 See References in Text note below.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
Pub. L. 93–406 title I § 605 · 88 Stat. 829
Enacted · 29 U.S.C. § 1165
Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 605, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 230
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 605, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 230Tax Reform Act of 1986
Pub. L. 99–514 title XVIII § 1895(d)(5)(B) · 100 Stat. 2085
Inserted · 29 U.S.C. § 1165(2)
Pub. L. 99–514 inserted “of continuation coverage” after “any election”
Inserted · 29 U.S.C. § 1165(2)
Pub. L. 99–514 inserted at end “If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (2). Pub. L. 99–514 inserted “of continuation coverage” after “any election” and inserted at end “If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
(B) ERISA amendment.— Section 605(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1165(2); 100 Stat. 230) is amended— (i) by inserting “of continuation coverage” after “any election”; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: “If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.”.Trade Act of 2002
Pub. L. 107–210 div. A title II § 203(e)(1) · 116 Stat. 933
Amended · 29 U.S.C. § 1165
Pub. L. 107–210 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a)
Inserted · 29 U.S.C. § 1165
Pub. L. 107–210 inserted heading
Added · 29 U.S.C. § 1165
Pub. L. 107–210 added subsec. (b)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 107–210 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) ERISA amendments.— Section 605 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1165) is amended— (A) by inserting “(a) In General.—” before “For purposes of this part”; and (B) by adding at the end the following: “(b) Temporary Extension of COBRA Election Period for Certain Individuals.— “(1) In general.— In the case of a nonelecting TAA-eligible Deadline. individual and notwithstanding subsection (a), such individual may elect continuation coverage under this part during the 60-day period that begins on the first day of the month in which the individual becomes a TAA-eligible individual, but only if such election is made not later than 6 months after the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage. “(2) Commencement of coverage; no reach-back.— Any continuation coverage elected by a TAA-eligible individual under paragraph (1) shall commence at the beginning of the 60-day election period described in such paragraph and shall not include any period prior to such 60-day election period. “(3) Preexisting conditions.— With respect to an individual who elects continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (1), the period— “(A) beginning on the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage, and “(B) ending on the first day of the 60-day election period described in paragraph (1), shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the 63-day periods referred to in section 701(c)(2), section 2701(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, and section 9801(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. “(4) Definitions.— For purposes of this subsection: “(A) Nonelecting taa-eligible individual.— The term ‘nonelecting TAA-eligible individual’ means a TAA-eligible individual who— “(i) has a TAA-related loss of coverage; and “(ii) did not elect continuation coverage under this part during the TAA-related election period. “(B) TAA-eligible individual.— The term ‘TAA-eligible individual’ means— “(i) an eligible TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 35(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and “(ii) an eligible alternative TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section). “(C) TAA-related election period.— The term ‘TAA-related election period’ means, with respect to a TAA-related loss of coverage, the 60-day election period under this part which is a direct consequence of such loss. “(D) TAA-related loss of coverage.— The term ‘TAA-related loss of coverage’ means, with respect to an individual whose separation from employment gives rise to being an TAA-eligible individual, the loss of health benefits coverage associated with such separation.”.Effective date note
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–210 applicable to petitions for certification filed under part 2 or 3 of subchapter II of chapter 12 of Title 19, Customs Duties, on or after the date that is 90 days after Aug. 6, 2002, except as otherwise provided, see section 151 of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of Title 19.
5 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 1166(4) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii), was redesignated as section 1166(a)(4) of this title by Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7891(d)(1)(A)(ii)(I), , 103 Stat. 2445.
Section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), was classified to section 300gg of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, was renumbered section 2704, effective for plan years beginning on or after , with certain exceptions, and amended, by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1201(2), 1563(c)(1), formerly § 1562(c)(1), title X, § 10107(b)(1), , 124 Stat. 154, 264, 911, and was transferred to section 300gg–3 of Title 42. A new section 2701, related to fair health insurance premiums, was added and amended by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1201(4), title X, § 10103(a), , 124 Stat. 155, 892, and is classified to section 300gg of Title 42.
Amendments1986–2002 · 2 rounds
2002
Pub. L. 107–210 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).
1986
Par. (2). Pub. L. 99–514 inserted “of continuation coverage” after “any election” and inserted at end “If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–210 applicable to petitions for certification filed under part 2 or 3 of subchapter II of chapter 12 of Title 19, Customs Duties, on or after the date that is 90 days after , except as otherwise provided, see section 151 of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of Title 19.
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. 99–272, see section 1895(e) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 162 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Construction of 2002 Amendment
Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 107–210, other than provisions relating to COBRA continuation coverage and reporting requirements, to be construed as creating new mandate on any party regarding health insurance coverage, see section 203(f) of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a Construction note under section 35 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after , see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Credits
1986–2002 · 3 acts
- 1986Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 605, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(a), , 100 Stat. 230
- 1986amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(d)(5)(B), , 100 Stat. 2939
- 2002Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 203(e)(1), , 116 Stat. 969.
Show as published
(Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 605, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(a), , 100 Stat. 230; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(d)(5)(B), , 100 Stat. 2939; Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 203(e)(1), , 116 Stat. 969.)