The participating employer must notify MIT of any change in an employee’s eligibility status within 31 days of the beginning of the leave. The participating employer’s failure to timely and properly notify MIT by this deadline may prevent the employee and his or her covered dependents from being able elect COBRA continuation coverage under the Plan, may obligate the participating employer or the employee/dependent to repay the Plan for any expenses it incurs for ineligible expenses, and may subject the participating employer to legal liability.