An Employee’s Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA

AN EMPLOYEE'S GUIDE TO HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER

COBRA

This publication has been developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

To view this and other publications, visit the agency's Website.

To order publications, or to speak with a benefits advisor, contact EBSA electronically.

Or call toll free: 1-866-444-3272

This material will be made available in alternative format to persons with disabilities upon request: Voice phone: (202) 693-8664 TTY: (202) 501-3911

This booklet constitutes a small entity compliance guide for purposes of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

2

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Contents

Introduction.........................................................................................1 What is COBRA Continuation Coverage? ........................................2 Who Is Entitled to Continuation Coverage?.....................................4 COBRA Notice and Election Procedures .........................................5 Benefits Under Continuation Coverage ...........................................8 Duration of Continuation Coverage..................................................9 Chart: Summary of Qualifying Events, Qualified Beneficiaries, and Maximum Periods of Continuation Coverage................................11 Paying for Continuation Coverage..................................................12 Coordination with Other Federal Benefit Laws .............................13 Role of the Federal Government.....................................................14 Resources .........................................................................................14

Introduction

A health plan helps workers and their families take care of their essential medical needs. It is one of the most important benefits an employer can provide.

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), many employees and their families who would lose group health coverage because of serious life events can continue it in the employer's group health plan for a limited time, usually at their own expense.

This booklet explains your rights under COBRA to a temporary extension of employer-provided group health coverage, called COBRA continuation coverage. It will:

? Provide a general explanation of your COBRA rights and responsibilities; ? Outline the COBRA rules that group health plans must follow; ? Highlight your rights while you are receiving COBRA continuation coverage.

AN EMPLOYEE'S GUIDE TO HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER COBRA

1

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download