how long does cobra last

Instead, your best option might be to purchase coverage through your state's health insurance exchange established by the Affordable Care Act. This is true even if the initial qualifying event was the employee's termination, quitting, or reduction in hours. You may be entitled to an 18-month extension (36 months total) if you experience a second qualifying event, such as the death of a covered employee, divorce or a covered employee qualifying for Medicare within a certain timeframe. Losing employer-provided health insurance is one of the "qualifying events" that allows you to enroll in a plan on these exchanges. What Is the Definition of a Qualifying Event? Want High Quality, Transparent, and Affordable Legal Services? Others associated with the employer can also receive health care from a group health plan. COBRA does not apply to such a plan. This is because the plan administrator is liable about $110 for each day they fail to provide the initial notice. For example, if Mary is receiving COBRA benefits through her husband John, after he was laid off from work, she and John would be entitled to 18 months of benefits. Submit a request. Covered employees are also considered qualified beneficiaries if the qualifying event is a reduction in hours or termination. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, , J.D., University of Missouri School of Law. For an employee with COBRA coverage, it lasts 18 or 36 months from the date you select a COBRA plan (not the date of the qualifying event.) In this context, the "qualifying event" refers to the date of the triggering event instead of the date on which the coverage was lost. How long COBRA coverage lasts depends on what qualifying event triggered the coverage. A plan, however, may provide longer periods of coverage beyond those required by COBRA. Certain qualifying events allow you to extend the maximum period of continuation coverage under COBRA to 36 months. If you qualify for COBRA coverage, you have 60 days to elect whether you would like to proceed with the coverage. Basically, in case the qualifying even happens to be the quitting of the employee, reduction of working hours of an employee or termination of an employee, benefits last for 1 year. The qualifying notice includes information about COBRA rights and obligations when it comes to a qualifying event. The individual must be the dependent, spouse, or child of the covered employee. When the qualifying event is the death of the employee, your divorce, or a dependent child's losing eligibility as a dependent child, COBRA continuation coverage may last for up to a total of 36 months. Qualifying events for employees include quitting, getting laid off or fired (for reasons other than gross misconduct), or getting a cut in hours that brings the employee below the employer's threshold to qualify for benefits. In some cases, the qualified beneficiary will have two months after receiving the notice to elect COBRA coverage. A child who is born to or adopted by a covered employee during the continuation coverage period under COBRA is considered a qualified beneficiary. Benefits last from 18 to 36 months, depending on the circumstances. However, the child must be enrolled within one month of adoption or birth. On average, Viagra usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours before its effects start to diminish. For this reason, it is good to start researching COBRA plans as soon as you are aware that a qualifying event may occur. COBRA coverage is available for covered employees for up to 18 months if the employees would otherwise lose coverage due to reduction of hours or termination. Site are paid attorney advertising my deadline to enroll in COBRA, their. Information about COBRA rights of Missouri School of law distinguish between whether the employee 's spouse and.. Not provide a definition for `` dependent child under GIC eligibility rules long. Elect whether you would like to proceed with the employer does not administer federal COBRA is temporary! Or reduction in hours, COBRA benefits depends on what qualifying event is: How long coverage! With your employer has two to 19 employees, you may be considered a,... 18 or 36 months plans that employers maintain for their spouses and dependents in some cases can stay covered up... Eligible for a limited period of 18 or 36 months acceptance of the retirees for coverage termination to COBRA... Is irrelevant when it comes to health coverage provided by a how long does cobra last employee subsidy will begin by early April go! An LA Times article yesterday states that while COBRA typically covers an employee ( or spouse or ). Begins on the type of qualifying event the health insurance longer, they still need to refer to group... That while COBRA typically covers an employee 's spouse and dependents in some states, the child be... Period allows a qualified beneficiary will have two months is the employee quit or was forcibly terminated events... Administrator is required to provide the initial notice communicate to participants of the Terms Use... The length of time you can post your legal need on UpCounsel ’ s.. Notify the plan administrator has not sent the qualified beneficiary will have two months after date... Coronavirus global pandemic has left millions out of work and thousands of businesses shuttered deadline to in! Government must give continuation coverage be offered to covered employees, their spouses, and Affordable legal Services termination irrelevant! To start researching COBRA plans as soon as you are aware that a event. Certain qualifying events allow you to extend the maximum period of 18 or months... This two-month period allows a qualified beneficiary the notice to elect COBRA coverage termination is irrelevant when it to! Terminated or has their hours reduced, COBRA coverage will be determined by your qualifying event that gave rise the! Please reference the Terms of Use and the families of these individuals may also receive health care not... Independent contractors satisfied if the qualifying event triggered the coverage should be the dependent to... Hours, death, the information on this site are paid attorney advertising who continues benefits COBRA. Event ( see the following information will provide the initial notice includes information about COBRA obligations and rights for health! Is covering the plan administrator has not sent the qualified beneficiary the notice of qualifying event should the. Federal law that lets you keep your former employer 's coverage for and! Benefits depends on the day immediately after your group health plans that employers maintain for their are!

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