COBRA Information

We just received a copy of the email concerning COBRA:

From: Administrative Committee
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 2:25 PM
To: ALL STAFF; ALL ASSOCIATES; ALL OF COUNSEL
Cc: ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
Subject: Important – COBRA Benefits

We are pleased to report that the Firm’s bank recently approved funding for certain December health premiums for W2 employees.

If you are laid off on November 30, then the Firm will pay the full COBRA premium for December for the health benefits in which you are currently enrolled. You will receive a COBRA election packet shortly. You will not need to return the COBRA election form or payment for December coverage as the Firm will automatically continue and pay for your COBRA coverage in December. If you have health coverage at a new job, or if you do not want COBRA coverage in December, then please send an email to Lisa Singh (lsingh@thelen.com) no later than December 4, indicating that you do not want health coverage in December. If you have a health care flexible spending account and wish to continue coverage in December, then you must submit the COBRA election form and payment as indicated on the form.

If you resign from the Firm, you will receive a COBRA packet and may elect and pay for COBRA coverage for December. Checks should be made payable to Thelen LLP and submitted, along with the election form, to Lisa Singh, National Benefits Manager, in the San Francisco office. You are encouraged to pay by December 4 to ensure continuous coverage. The 2008 COBRA rates are attached.

For employees who will be part of the wind down team, benefits will continue in December. I’m pleased to announce the Firm will pay the full premium for your current health elections in December. Deductions will continue as normal for any voluntary elections including the FSAs. The commuter benefit will be cancelled on November 30, 2008.

The Firm is attempting to secure basic group health coverage for the wind-down employees as of January 1, 2009. If group coverage is secured, then COBRA coverage for whatever plans are offered will be made available to anyone eligible for COBRA. If coverage is not secured, then the availability of COBRA will cease on December 31, 2008. Please review the FAQ for details on information regarding individual HIPAA conversion plans.

Winding Down: Office Closings, COBRA, etc.

It has been rather difficult to get hands on basic information at Thelen and this is something that Hellerites over at Heller Highwater know all too well.  I’ve done some sleuthing and here is what I can report (and if you have any further information please email me at thelenthepain@gmail.com or place the info in the comments).

• The last day of regular firmwide business at Thelen LLP will be Wednesday, November 26th.
• The San Jose office will close this Friday, November 21st.
• As has been stated via email, the Dissolution Committee has opted not to pay accrued vacation and claims that the banks have 100% control and must approve every check written.
• The status of medical, dental and vision benefits is uncertain at this time: “Our medical and vision plans are group insurance policies, and our dental coverage is a self funded plan. Therefore, COBRA medical, dental, and vision will be available provided that our bank authorizes the premium payments and claims funding necessary to maintain each of these plans in December. As previously communicated to employees, the bank’s latest indication to firm management is that it would authorize such payments.”