COBRA requires continuation coverage to be offered to covered employees, their spouses, their former spouses, and their dependent children when group health coverage would otherwise be lost due to certain specific events. While COBRA continuation coverage must be offered, it lasts only for a limited period of time.

Can you be employed and have COBRA?

Cal-COBRA applies to employers and group health plans that cover from two to 19 employees. (Note that Cal-COBRA also applies to employers with more than 20 employees when an employee has exhausted his or her 18 months of federal COBRA benefits.)

Can I drop my spouse from COBRA?

There is no qualifying event that triggers offering COBRA when an employee makes a voluntary choice to drop dependents from the health insurance plan during open enrollment. Generally, COBRA requires that an employee, spouse or dependent child be covered by the plan the day prior to the qualifying event.

How do you count employees for COBRA?

Both full- and part-time employees are counted to determine whether a plan is subject to COBRA. Each part-time employee counts as a fraction of a full-time employee, with the fraction equal to the number of hours worked divided by the hours an employee must work to be considered full time.

Individuals who are employed by California employers at the time they become eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and whose COBRA coverage would otherwise end in 18 months may, under Cal-COBRA, continue their coverage with the same group carrier or HMO for up to a total of 36 months.

Can I add my spouse to my COBRA insurance?

Is it possible to add a new spouse or dependent to my COBRA coverage? Yes. If you get married, you may add COBRA coverage for the new spouse, if active employees on the same employer-sponsored insurance can do the same.

How long can an employee stay on COBRA?

36 months
Cal-COBRA allows individuals to continue their group health coverage for up to 36 months.

How does an employer know if you qualify for Cobra?

The employer must tell the plan administrator if you qualify for COBRA because the covered employee died, lost their job, or became entitled to Medicare. Once the plan administrator is notified, the plan must let you know you have the right to choose COBRA coverage.

When does Cobra end for a spouse or dependent?

If the qualifying event is the death of the covered employee, divorce or legal separation of the covered employee from the covered employee’s spouse, or the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare, COBRA for the spouse or dependent child lasts for  36 months. Q8: How is COBRA affected if I am disabled?

What do you need to know about COBRA continuation?

To be eligible for COBRA coverage, you must have been enrolled in your employer’s health plan when you worked and the health plan must continue to be in effect for active employees. COBRA continuation coverage is available upon the occurrence of a qualifying event that would, except for the

What happens if I don’t notify my Cobra plan?

An individual who fails to notify the health plan providing COBRA coverage and continues to receive the COBRA premium subsidy after they are eligible for other group health coverage or Medicare may be subject to a penalty under IRC § 6720C.