Can I get COBRA if I have other insurance?

Asked by: Isabelle Veum  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (25 votes)

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.

Who is not eligible for COBRA coverage?

The law generally applies to all group health plans maintained by private-sector employers with 20 or more employees, or by state or local governments. The law does not apply to plans sponsored by the Federal Government or by churches and certain church-related organizations.

Can COBRA be a secondary insurance?

Medicare is your primary insurance, and COBRA is secondary. You should keep Medicare because it is responsible for paying the majority of your health care costs.

What are the eligibility requirements for COBRA?

COBRA covers group health plans sponsored by an employer (private-sector or state/local government) that employed at least 20 employees on more than 50 percent of its typical business days in the previous calendar year. Both full- and part- time employees are counted to determine whether a plan is subject to COBRA.

Does COBRA coverage begin immediately?

How long does it take for COBRA to kick in? With all paperwork properly submitted, your COBRA coverage should begin on the first day of your qualifying event (for example, the first day you are no longer with your employer), ensuring no gaps in your coverage.

Everything you need to know about COBRA

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Are you automatically enrolled in COBRA?

COBRA is a federal law passed three decades ago to give families an insurance safety net between jobs. It's available if you're already enrolled in an employer-sponsored medical, dental or vision plan, and your company has 20 or more employees.

What is the waiting start date for COBRA?

COBRA coverage begins on the date that coverage is lost (usually the first of the month following termination). Employees who enroll in COBRA later in their election window (which begins on the date of coverage loss) will have coverage retroactively to that date, and will need to pay for retroactive coverage.

How do I get COBRA if I quit my job?

How to get COBRA health insurance after leaving your job
  1. Leave a company with 20 or more employees, or have your hours reduced. ...
  2. Wait for a letter in the mail. ...
  3. Elect health coverage within 60 days. ...
  4. Make a payment within 45 days.

What are the 7 COBRA qualifying event?

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 ...

Does COBRA include dental and vision?

With COBRA, you can continue the same coverage you had when you were employed. That includes medical, dental and vision plans. You cannot choose new coverage or change your plan to a different one. For example, if you had a medical plan and a dental plan, you can keep one or both of them.

Can I add my newborn to my COBRA coverage?

Yes, COBRA Covers Pregnancy

Your newborn child can be added on to COBRA for additional premiums. You will be able to remain on COBRA for up to 18 months or until you and your family can be enrolled on your new employer's group health.

Can I add my spouse to my Cobra insurance?

Is it possible to add a new spouse or dependent to my COBRA coverage? Yes. A qualified insurance beneficiary has the same rights to add newly acquired dependents on the group health plan, just like if they were employed.

What is a second qualifying event for COBRA?

Second qualifying events may include the death of the covered employee, divorce or legal separation from the covered employee, the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare benefits (under Part A, Part B or both), or a dependent child ceasing to be eligible for coverage as a dependent under the group health plan.

Can I be denied COBRA benefits?

If the former employee is considered an eligible plan participant, then he or she would be a qualified beneficiary and entitled to COBRA coverage unless the second exception (denial based on gross misconduct) is applied. Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA.

What happens if my employer doesn't offer me COBRA?

Failure to provide the COBRA election notice within this time period can subject employers to a penalty of up to $110 per day, at the discretion of the court, as well as the cost of medical expenses incurred by the qualified beneficiary.

Does your employer have to offer you COBRA?

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) is a federal law that requires employers of 20 or more employees who offer health care benefits to offer the option of continuing this coverage to individuals who would otherwise lose their benefits due to termination of employment, reduction in hours or ...

How can I avoid paying COBRA?

If you want to avoid paying the COBRA cost, go with a short-term plan if you're waiting for approval on another health plan. Choose a Marketplace or independent plan for broader coverage. Choose a high-deductible plan to keep your costs low.

Can I cancel COBRA mid month?

You can cancel the COBRA coverage at any time within 18 months. ... You will likely want to drop COBRA once you become eligible for a different health plan, such as if you get another job. If you stop paying premiums, COBRA coverage will end automatically. Make sure to pay your premiums promptly.

How many employees do you have to have for COBRA?

COBRA generally applies to all private-sector group health plans maintained by employers that have at least 20 employees on more than 50 percent of its typical business days in the previous calendar year. Both full- and part-time employees are counted to determine whether a plan is subject to COBRA.

Does health insurance end the day you quit?

Although there are no set requirements, most employer-sponsored health insurance ends on the day you stop working or at the end of the month in which you work your last day. Employers set the guidelines for when employer-sponsored health coverage ends once you resign or are terminated.

How long does my insurance last after I quit?

You can keep your job-based insurance policy through the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA. COBRA allows you to continue coverage — typically for up to 18 months — after you leave your employer.

Can you keep health insurance after leaving a job?

Can I get health insurance after quitting a job? Yes, you can still get health insurance if you quit your job. You can keep your job-based coverage for up to 18 months with a COBRA plan. Or you can buy an individual plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

How long does COBRA take to process?

Benefit Strategies, LLC will notify the carrier and/or employer of COBRA election upon receipt of completed enrollment paperwork and full initial payment. Please Note: This process may take up to 5-10 business days after payment is received in this office.

How do I get Cobra insurance after termination?

After learning of a qualifying event, the administrator must send out an election notice, informing beneficiaries that they have a right to choose COBRA coverage. Beneficiaries then have 60 days to inform the administrator whether or not they want to continue insurance coverage through COBRA.

Can you enroll in COBRA after an accident?

Yes, COBRA Benefits Are Retroactive With No Lapse In Coverage. The Federal COBRA Health Insurance Act requires all businesses with 20 or more employees to offer a continuation of the health insurance after job loss. When you elect COBRA coverage, the effective date begins the date after your work health insurance ended ...