Can I have COBRA and another insurance?
Asked by: Sierra Bruen | Last update: November 6, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (30 votes)
Can COBRA overlap with other insurance?
Is it possible for me to opt into COBRA while also being covered by my partner's workplace insurance? Yes, you can have COBRA and be covered under your spouse's work insurance plan.
Is COBRA primary or secondary?
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 is the COBRA loophole?
If you decide to enroll in COBRA health insurance, your coverage will be retroactive, meaning it will apply to any medical bills incurred during the 60-day decision period. This loophole can save you money by avoiding premium payments unless you actually need care during this time.
Can you have two secondary insurances?
However, some people also secure additional medical coverage or a “secondary” insurance plan. Having dual coverage is perfectly legal. But you must coordinate your two policies correctly to ensure you cover your medical expenses compliantly.
Tuesday Tip: COBRA vs Other Health Insurance Options
Can you be under 2 different insurances?
Although no laws prohibit you from purchasing two auto policies from two different companies, an insurer will not allow you to purchase two policies on the same car. If you have an auto accident, filing two claims with two different insurance providers constitutes insurance fraud even with two auto policies.
Is being double insured worth it?
Assuming Dual Coverage Is Always Better: While dual coverage can be beneficial, it's not always the best option for every situation. Don't assume that having two plans will automatically save you money. Evaluate the costs, coverage, and your specific healthcare needs to determine if dual coverage is cost-effective.
What disqualifies you from COBRA?
Why would an employee not qualify to enroll in Cal-COBRA? The employee is enrolled in or eligible for Medicare. The employee does not enroll within 60 days of receiving the notice of eligibility from the employer. The employee is covered by another health plan.
How much does COBRA typically cost per month?
COBRA coverage is not cheap.
A COBRA premium can cost on average $400 to $700 a month per person.
What is the 105 day COBRA loophole?
So, if you maxed out the 60 day election period plus the 45 day payment period, you could actually go 105 days without paying for the coverage.
Why is COBRA so expensive?
Why is COBRA more expensive than employer-sponsored insurance? COBRA is more expensive because the individual is responsible for the entire premium amount without the employer's financial contribution that is provided during active employment.
How do you keep a COBRA for 36 months?
Second Qualifying Event - If you are receiving an 18-month maximum period of continuation coverage, you may become entitled to an 18-month extension (giving a total maximum period of 36 months of continuation coverage) if you experience a second qualifying event that is the death of a covered employee, the divorce or ...
Will secondary pay if primary denies?
It depends on which insurance is considered “primary” and which is “secondary.” The insurance that pays first (primary payer) pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second (secondary payer) only pays if there are costs the primary insurance didn't cover.
Can I have COBRA and Marketplace insurance at the same time?
During Marketplace Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effective on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins.
What happens if you have overlapping insurance policies?
When you have car insurance overlap, the most obvious problem you will encounter would be this. You must pay for two insurance policies when one would do to cover any potential loss or damage to your car. Even if you wish to terminate an existing insurance coverage, you can only obtain a pro-rata return.
Does COBRA start the day you quit?
You have 60 days to enroll in COBRA once your employer-sponsored benefits end. Even if your enrollment is delayed, you will be covered by COBRA starting the day your prior coverage ended.
What are the disadvantages of COBRA coverage?
- COBRA can be expensive, especially compared to the premiums you were paying before your qualifying event. ...
- COBRA does not apply to all employer-sponsored health plans—in particular, those organizations with fewer than 20 employees may have no requirements. ...
- Even if you get an extension, COBRA is only temporary.
Is COBRA cheaper than Obamacare?
COBRA costs an average of $599 per month. An Obamacare plan of similar quality costs $462 per month—but with the government subsidies available, the average cost of an Obamacare plan on HealthSherpa is less than $10 per month. But ultimately, it depends on your situation.
How long can I stay on COBRA?
You can collect COBRA benefits for up to 18 months. This may be extended to 36 months under certain circumstances. If your employer has 20 or more employees, it must follow COBRA rules.
Can I sue my employer for not offering COBRA?
The employees along with the beneficiaries have the right to sue to cover the medical expenses that would have taken place when the COBRA should have been offered.
Who pays for COBRA after termination?
(California passed a similar law known as “Cal-COBRA.”) Under COBRA, the group plan health insurance plan made available to terminated workers provides the exact same benefits as they would receive if they were still a member of the group, except that the employees have to pay the employer's cost of providing the ...
Does cobra insurance start immediately?
Assuming one pays all required premiums, COBRA coverage starts on the date of the qualifying event, and the length of the period of COBRA coverage will depend on the type of qualifying event which caused the qualified beneficiary to lose group health plan coverage.
Can you be covered under two insurance plans?
The short answer to that question is yes, you can have two health insurance plans. In fact, it's becoming increasingly common for individuals to have more than one health insurance plan.
How do you determine which insurance is primary?
The insurance that pays first is called the primary payer. The primary payer pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second is called the secondary payer. The secondary payer only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn't cover.
Why should you avoid duplicate insurance?
Insurers often have clauses and policies in place to avoid overlapping payments. They may argue over who should be the primary insurer and try to shift the burden of payment onto the other insurer. This can result in disputes and delays in getting your medical bills covered.