When must group health plans provide HIPAA certificates of creditable coverage?

Plans and issuers must furnish the certificate automatically to:

• An individual who is entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage at a time no later than when a notice is required to be provided for a qualifying event under COBRA.
• An individual who loses coverage under a group health plan and who is not entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage within a reasonable time after coverage ceases.
• An individual who has elected COBRA continuation coverage either within a reasonable time after the plan learns that COBRA continuation coverage ceases, or, if applicable, within a reasonable time after the individual’s grace period for the payment of COBRA premiums ends.
• Upon request from an individual within 24 months after loss of coverage — within a reasonable time after the request is made.