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Summary

The law requires that employers notify employees about their COBRA rights. Employees must then notify the employer of a desire to continue coverage, and make the first premium payment, within a set time frame. 

To learn how to apply in your particular circumstance, click on the following link:

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COBRA

How To Apply For COBRA If You Stop Working

Step 1. Employer Notice

 Your employer or plan administrator must notify the health plan administrator (which is sometimes the employer) that a COBRA qualifying event has occurred within 30 days of the event. The plan then must notify you within 14 days of your right to continued coverage.

When you stop working (or know ahead of time that you are about to stop):

  • Ask your employer for the COBRA notice.
  • If your employer insists on mailing the notice to you::
    • Ask for a date when to expect the notice.
    • Make a notation in your diary
    • If you don't receive the notice, follow up with your employer and, if there is one, the Plan Administrator.

Step 2. Employee Notice To Employer Or Plan Administrator

You must notify the employer or any company that administers the plan (the plan administrator) that you want to continue health coverage within 60 days after the later the date you stopped working or the date you're notified of your rights.

Step 3. Pay the first premium

You have up to 45 days after giving the COBRA enrollment form to your ex-employer or plan administrator to make the first premium payment -- which includes premiums back to the date when the regular group coverage ended.

Although the premium is not due for 45 days after notifying the employer of your intent to continue coverage, consider paying the first month (or two) with your acceptance. It will avoid the financial blow of waiting until the last minute and owing up to four months worth of premiums at once.

Step 4. If you are "Disabled" when you stop work

Start looking at the requirements for extending health insurance beyond 18 months even if you don't think you're going to need this insurance for that long. As you will see in How To Apply For A COBRA Extension Because Of Disability, a major requirement is that Social Security has to certify that you are disabled.

Getting the certification can take a good amount of time, with many actions required by other people that are beyond your control. This can be especially true if you have to appeal a decision to get the determination you need. Bottom line: start the process as soon as you can. (To learn more, see Applying For Social Security Disability Insurance.)

 

How To Apply For COBRA Due To Divorce

Step 1. Notify Your Employer

It is your duty to promptly notify your employer of your divorce.

At the outside, it is your duty to notify your employer within sixty days of the divorce. (Divorce from a domestic partner or a separation from a significant other does not qualify for COBRA.)

When you give your employer notice, confirm the current mailing address for your former spouse.

Step 2. Employer Notice

Your employer must give your former spouse written notice of his or her rights under COBRA within 14 days after being notified.

Step 3. Former Spouse's Notice To Employer Or Plan Administrator

Your former spouse must notify the employer or any company that administers the plan (the plan administrator) that he or she wants to continue health coverage within 60 days after the later of the date of your divorce or the date he or she is notified of his/her COBRA rights.

Step 4. Pay the first premium

Your former spouse has up to 45 days after giving the COBRA enrollment form to your employer or plan administrator to make the first premium payment -- which includes premiums back to the date of the divorce.

How To Apply For COBRA Due To A Child Coming Of Age

Step 1. Notify Your Employer

It is your duty to promptly notify your employer of your child coming of age.

At the outside, it is your duty to notify your employer within sixty days of the event.

When you give your employer notice, confirm the current mailing address for your now adult child.

Step 2. Employer Notice

Your employer must give your child written notice of his or her rights under COBRA within 14 days after being notified.

Step 3. Adult Child's Notice To Employer Or Plan Administrator

Your child must notify the employer or any company that administers the plan (the plan administrator) that he or she wants to continue health coverage within 60 days after the later of the date of his or her coming of age or the date he or she is notified of his/her COBRA rights.

Step 4. Pay the first premium

Your child has up to 45 days after giving the COBRA enrollment form to your employer or plan administrator to make the first premium payment -- which includes premiums back to the date the child came of age.

How To Apply For COBRA Due To Any Other Reason

Step 1. Employer notice to employee

Your employer or plan administrator must notify the health plan administrator (which is sometimes the employer) that a COBRA Qualifying Event has occurred within 30 days of the event. The plan then must notify you within 14 days of your right to continued coverage.

Step 2. Employee notice to employer or plan administrator

You must then notify the employer or any company that administers the plan (the plan administrator) that you want to continue health coverage within 60 days after the later of:

  • The Qualifying Event, or
  • The date you're notified of your rights.

Step 3. Pay the first premium

You have up to 45 days after giving the COBRA enrollment form to the employer or plan administrator to make the first premium payment -- which includes premiums back to the date when the regular group coverage ended.