COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) provides a way for certain workers and their families the right to keep their group health insurance for a period of time after they no longer qualify for coverage under their employer’s plan, usually because they are no longer employed.
As a federal law, all states are required to comply with the provisions of COBRA. States may add to the protections employees/workers and their dependents benefit from under COBRA, but state law can not reduce the protections of COBRA. Additionally, an employer’s plan may provide for additional protections such as longer time periods of COBRA coverage.
The information provided below can be used as a starting point as you explore your options:
COBRA definitions
Questions about "Qualifying Events"
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I have heard that due to the economic downturn, the government is subsidizing part of COBRA benefits. Is that true?
Click on the following link for information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and COBRA. ARRA provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under COBRA for certain eligible individuals.
