What is COBRA Administration and Why It Matters for Employers
When an employee leaves, benefits don’t always end with the job. Employers have a legal obligation to offer continuation of coverage. That process is governed by COBRA, and if it’s not handled correctly, it can get expensive fast.
COBRA administration isn’t just a form. It’s a federal requirement with strict timelines and steep penalties. And it's one of the most misunderstood responsibilities in HR.
What Is COBRA?
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It’s a federal law that gives eligible employees and their dependents the right to continue group health coverage after job loss, reduction in hours, or other qualifying events.
Employers with 20 or more employees are subject to COBRA. The law applies to medical, dental, vision, and certain other benefits.
If you offer coverage and someone qualifies, you’re responsible for notifying them, providing proper documentation, and giving them time to elect continuation. Miss a deadline or send the wrong notice, and the consequences can be serious.
Why COBRA Is Hard to Manage In-House
The rules sound simple, but the execution isn’t.
Here’s what employers are expected to do and do quickly:
Identify qualifying events
Send initial COBRA notices on time
Provide accurate election forms
Track deadlines
Collect payments
Monitor coverage periods
Respond to questions
Stay updated on federal and state changes
One missed detail can trigger fines, lawsuits, or audits. Mistakes happen when busy HR teams try to juggle it all without the right tools or support.
And COBRA is unforgiving. There are no do-overs.
How Helix Simplifies COBRA Administration
Helix Benefit Solutions takes the pressure off. We offer a secure, automated COBRA platform built to reduce risk and improve visibility. Here’s how we help:
Automated notices and timelines
Online participant access
Secure payment processing
Real-time tracking and reporting
Direct support for employers and participants
Seamless integration with HR and payroll platforms
We handle the back-end work so you don’t have to. No manual tracking. No guesswork. Just a streamlined experience from start to finish.
Why Employers and Brokers Choose Helix
You have other things to focus on hiring, retention, growth. COBRA shouldn't be the task that keeps you up at night.
When you work with Helix, you get:
Full compliance without chasing deadlines
Reduced admin burden for your team
Custom reporting and user-friendly self-service tools
Better participant experience for former employees and their families
Responsive support from people who understand the process
Brokers also benefit from our support. We help them deliver a complete solution to clients, backed by reliable execution and expert guidance.
Let Us Take It From Here
COBRA is one of those things that’s easy to ignore until it’s not. Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Don’t hope you’ve got it covered. Know that you do.
Contact Helix Benefit Solutions today and find out how easy COBRA administration can be with the right partner.
Helix Benefit Solutions offers end-to-end COBRA administration services to help employers and brokers simplify compliance, reduce risk, and support participants. Ask about our full suite of services, including benefits administration technology, spending and reimbursement account solutions, and compliance support for ACA, ERISA, and more.