From Aetna:

During the week of June 8, 2009, we will send a letter and information packet to former employees of your New York Small Group customers to explain the potential option for continuing their medical coverage under their former employers’ group health plans.

New York's Department of Insurance has created a New York state-specific model notice for carriers to use in connection with New York’s continuation coverage. Aetna is using the model notice.

The state of New York requires we contact members who become eligible for state continuation if their coverage was terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. This current mailing is for those terminated members we have identified as being terminated between September 1, 2008 and May 10, 2009. We will continue to send these notices to employees whose coverage terminates during the required period.

Special election period added
The state also expanded the rights of involuntarily terminated employees under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). As a result, individuals who were involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008 and February 17, 2009 and declined continuation coverage now have a second opportunity to elect coverage.

Under ARRA, employees may be eligible for a temporary premium reduction for up to nine months under a state continuation plan. They must review the materials we send to see if they meet the criteria for an ARRA premium reduction. Individuals who believe they are eligible have 60 days from the date they receive our notice (with an additional 10 days added for mailing purposes) to complete and return the election form/application to their former employer.

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