COBRA 101

• In general, the health insurance coverage which is continued under COBRA is tied to the employer's current coverage rather than the coverage that existed on the date you stopped working or other qualifying event occurred.
• The COBRA continuation coverage you are offered must be identical to that provided to your former co-workers who did not lose coverage. If, for example, your employer increases coverage for your co-workers after you stop working, your coverage is increased just like everyone else's. Unfortunately, if the coverage for current employees decreases, the employer also has the right to decrease your coverage.
• If the employer changes health plans, the coverage for anyone on COBRA continuation must be changed as well.
• If the employer offers an open enrollment period with the opportunity to switch plans without medical questions or a physical exam, you must also be given the option to switch plans. 

COBRA does not apply to:

• Self-insured plans
• Medicare supplement only plans
• Dental care only plans 
• Vision only plans.
• Group life insurance
• Group disability insurance

Covered health insurance includes:

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription drug
• Mental health
• Other medical type coverage such as drug coverage, even if they are separate from the health insurance.

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