Can COBRA be extended beyond 18 months?

Asked by: Mr. Emmitt Dach V  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (71 votes)

If you are entitled to an 18 month maximum period of continuation coverage, you may become eligible for an extension of the maximum time period in two circumstances. The first is when a qualified beneficiary is disabled; the second is when a second qualifying event occurs.

Can I continue COBRA after 18 months?

When Federal COBRA ends, eligible employees can buy 18 months additional health coverage under Cal-COBRA. All qualified beneficiaries are generally eligible for continuation coverage for 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary's benefits would otherwise have terminated.

What happens when COBRA runs out?

When your COBRA health insurance runs out, you can be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period that will allow you to enroll in an Obamacare health plan. ... Then you have 60 days from the end of your COBRA coverage to enroll in a plan from the Marketplace.

Can COBRA be extended due to Covid?

Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the nation, the federal government extended the deadlines for electing COBRA and paying COBRA premiums for continuation of health insurance coverage. ... And, a COBRA premium is deemed timely if paid within 30 days after its due date.

When can you extend COBRA to 36 months?

Up to 36 months of coverage, when there is a second qualifying event during continuation coverage (the death of the covered employee; the divorce or separation of the employee and spouse; the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare or loss of dependent-child status under the plan), where the 36 months is ...

Everything you need to know about COBRA

17 related questions found

What is Cal COBRA extension?

Duration of Coverage Continuation

Federal COBRA generally extends health coverage for 18 months. Individuals with certain qualifying events may be eligible for a longer extension (e.g., 29 or 36 months). Cal-COBRA allows individuals to continue their group health coverage for up to 36 months.

How long can I keep my Cobra insurance?

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) , continuation of health coverage starts from the date the covered employee's health insurance ends and, depending on the type of qualifying event, may last for 18 months, 29 months or 36 months.

Can you extend COBRA benefits?

Consumers may also extend COBRA coverage longer than the initial 18-month period with a second qualifying event (e.g., divorce or death), up to an additional 18 months, for a total of 36 months.

Will the COBRA subsidy be extended past September 2021?

Will The COBRA Subsidy be Extended? The COBRA subsidy has been extended until September 30, 2021. Currently this is the final date for subsidy assistance.

Is COBRA election period still extended?

The extension of deadlines for individuals to elect COBRA and pay for COBRA premiums on account of the COVID-19 pandemic remains in effect. ... This period (the Outbreak Period) lasts until 60 days after the declared end of the national COVID-19 emergency, but no more than one year.

Can COBRA coverage end in the middle of the month?

If the shortfall is not paid in the 30-day time period then COBRA continuation coverage will end as of the date for which the last full COBRA premium payment was made (which may result in a mid-month termination of COBRA coverage).

Is expiration of COBRA a qualifying event?

Is your COBRA coverage about to expire? After months of not worrying about health insurance, do you know what to do next? Here's the good news: Rolling off of COBRA coverage is a qualifying event that opens a special enrollment period for you to purchase your own health coverage.

Can COBRA be retroactive?

COBRA is always retroactive to the day after your previous coverage ends, and you'll need to pay your premiums for that period too. ... COBRA allows you to keep the exact same benefits as before. No changes can be made to your plan at this time.

How long can you stay on COBRA after retirement?

When you do retire, you will probably have the option of continuing on your employer's health plan for at least 18 months, thanks to a federal law called the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). It says that when you leave your job, your employer must let you keep your coverage for up to 18 months.

Can COBRA be extended for disability?

Individuals who qualify for the disability extension under COBRA are eligible to remain covered for a period up to 29 months starting from the loss of coverage. The extension of 11 months is above and beyond the standard 18 month COBRA duration.

How long can you do COBRA after retiring?

Retirees can use COBRA Insurance For 18 Months

Retirement is a qualifying event. When a qualified beneficiary retires from their job, the retired worker is entitled for up to 18 months health insurance continuation, which is the maximum amount of time an employee can keep COBRA continuation.

Can Congress extend COBRA subsidy?

The American Rescue Plan provides subsidies to cover the full cost of COBRA premiums for displaced workers through September 30, 2021. This legislation would extend these subsidies through September 30, 2022. Currently, nearly 56 percent of American workers are insured through their employer.

What happens when COBRA subsidy ends?

You can continue on COBRA unsubsidized until your 18 months of COBRA eligibility ends. Loss of the COBRA subsidy will make you eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP) to sign up for marketplace coverage. ...

Is COBRA free in 2021?

COBRA is a continuation of the same health insurance policy that you had through your job. Free premiums began April 1, 2021, and end September 30, 2021. Benefits end earlier if your maximum period of COBRA coverage (usually 18 months) ends or if you become eligible for Medicare or another group health plan.

What are COBRA qualifying events?

The following are qualifying events: the death of the covered employee; a covered employee's termination of employment or reduction of the hours of employment; the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare; divorce or legal separation from the covered employee; or a dependent child ceasing to be a dependent under ...

Is COBRA election retroactive to date of termination?

Coverage will be retroactive to the date of the COBRA- qualifying event, so there is no break in coverage. Employee coverage ends on the last day of the coverage period in which employment terminates. However, if the termination date falls on the first day of the coverage period, coverage ends that same day.

Can you have COBRA and another insurance at the same time?

You may not have COBRA continuation and another insurance at the same time. ... You may stay on COBRA as long as you do not obtain other insurance or become covered under your new employer's health insurance. The federal government's COBRA law allows workers to continue on the same plan they had when they working.

What is a COBRA premium subsidy?

The state law is called Cal-COBRA (sometimes also called “supplemental COBRA”). ... The law is sometimes referred to as ARPA. ARPA provides premium assistance equal to 100% of the amount of the premium for eligible individuals to continue their employer-provided health care coverage after a job loss or reduction in hours.

Is COBRA better than Covered California?

Cobra is really expensive and you might not be able to change plans. Covered California can be priced much lower and you can change plans. If you qualify for a Covered Ca tax credit, it's hard to justify paying full premium for Cobra. Again, our services as Certified Covered California agents is free to you.

Can I keep COBRA If eligible for Medicare?

While it is possible to get COBRA if you already have Medicare, it is not usually possible to keep COBRA if you have it before you become Medicare-eligible. ... Your spouse and dependents may keep COBRA for up to 36 months, regardless of whether you enroll in Medicare during that time.