How long is a COBRA plan?

How long is a COBRA plan?

Q11: How long does COBRA coverage last? COBRA requires that continuation coverage extend from the date of the qualifying event for a limited period of 18 or 36 months.

Can you continue COBRA after 18 months?

If you are entitled to an 18 month maximum period of continuation coverage, you may become eligible for an extension of the maximum time period in two circumstances. The first is when a qualified beneficiary is disabled; the second is when a second qualifying event occurs.

How long is COBRA in NY?

A: COBRA is a federal law that provides for the continuation of medical coverage in certain circumstances. Federal law set the coverage period at 18 months; however, NYS Laws gives an additional 18 months for a total of 36 for NYS enrollees.

When do you find out your Cobra plan has ended?

COBRA coverage generally is offered for 18 months (36 months in some cases). Ask the employer’s benefits administrator or group health plan about your COBRA rights if you find out your coverage has ended and you don’t get a notice, or if you get divorced.

What are the requirements for COBRA continuation coverage?

event and the period of time that a plan must offer continuation coverage. COBRA establishes only the minimum requirements for continuation coverage. A plan may always choose to provide longer periods of continuation coverage. The following are qualifying events for covered employees if they cause the covered employee to lose coverage:

How many employees are covered by a Cobra plan?

COBRA covers group health plans sponsored by an employer (private-sector or state/local government) that employed at least 20 employees on more than 50 percent of its typical business days in the previous calendar year.

What does Cobra stand for in federal law?

COBRA is a federal law that may let you keep your employer Group health plan coverage for a limited time after your employment ends or you lose coverage as a dependent of the covered employee. This is called “continuation coverage.”

Can Cobra be extended beyond 18 months?

Yes. If you are eligible to continue health coverage under federal COBRA for 18 months, then you can continue coverage under state continuation coverage for an additional 18 months. You have up to a total of 36 months of coverage when combining the COBRA and state continuation benefits.

Is dropping Cobra a qualifying life event?

Becoming eligible for COBRA or having COBRA coverage expire (voluntarily dropping COBRA coverage is not a qualifying life event) You gain status as a member of an American Indian tribe—members of federally recognized American Indian tribes can sign up for or change plans once a month throughout the year.

What is Cobra time frame?

COBRA provides a 44-day time frame for the employer/plan administrator to send an election notice. The law provides the qualified beneficiary (QB) with 60 days to elect the coverage from the loss of coverage date or when the notice is mailed, whichever is later.

Who is eligible for COBRA insurance?

Eligibility for COBRA. In general, employees who were previously actively enrolled in health insurance coverage for at least one day, but lost it due to a change from full-time to part-time employment or termination(both voluntary and involuntary), are eligible for COBRA.