Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) was passed by Congress in 1986. According to COBRA, most employees, retires, spouses, ex-spouses and dependent children in companies larger than 20 employees are entitled to continued health coverage for up to 18 months after being terminated, whether voluntary or involuntary (except for gross misconduct). In addition, sometimes qualifying events--such as divorce, reduced hours or a death that causes you, your spouse, or your dependents to lose health insurance--may make COBRA necessary. Though the health participant will most likely need to pay the entire cost of his health care up to 102 percent, it is something to be looked into soon after termination or an other qualifying event--especially if you, your spouse or dependent children are going to be without health care for awhile.
Instructions
1. Contact your health plan administrator. Your employer is required by law to contact--within 30 days--the plan administrator of the health insurance plan you were enrolled in before termination or qualifying event. The administrator then has 14 days to send you an election notice about COBRA. You then have 60 days to accept or decline COBRA. If this does not happen under this strict schedule mandated by COBRA, call your health care provider. There should be a number to call on the back of your insurance card. You should also call if you have any specific questions about your situation, health care coverage and costs.
2. Contact your employer. If you think your employer is not following COBRA guidelines or have other questions, speak to a person within human resources. She may in turn give you the direct line for the plan's administrator.
3. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor is partially responsible for the administration of COBRA. If you have questions about COBRA notification and disclosure requirements, write to the following: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Washington DC, 20210.
4. Contact Medicare. If you or your spouse are about to or are qualified for Medicare and have questions about how this may affect your COBRA insurance, contact Medicare at: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd, Mail Stop C1-22-06, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 or 1-877-267-2323, extension 61565.
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