Can you be on COBRA and still be employed?
Asked by: Dante Price Sr. | Last update: April 2, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (19 votes)
Can you have a COBRA while employed?
Yes. The coverage election remains with the employee (you), so you can stay on COBRA for the allotted time (18mos + qualifying extensions) regardless of whether a new employer offers health benefits or not.
What is the 60 days COBRA loophole?
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.
Do I have to cancel COBRA if I get a new job?
COBRA coverage doesn't automatically end when you get a new job, but you can choose to terminate it once your new employer's health insurance takes effect. If there's a waiting period before your new coverage starts, COBRA can act as a temporary safety net, ensuring you don't experience a gap in health insurance.
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How long can I stay on COBRA coverage?
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. COBRA coverage follows a "qualifying event".
Does COBRA kick in immediately?
An employee eligible for COBRA insurance must opt for it within 60 days of their employer-sponsored insurance termination date. The coverage starts the day the previous coverage ends.
How much does COBRA cost for one month?
Based on plan and state, COBRA costs range from about $400 to $700 per month and are based on the following: Your previous monthly insurance contribution. Your recent employer's monthly insurance contribution.
What is the largest disadvantage of COBRA?
COBRA coverage is not cheap. Why? Because you're now responsible for paying your portion of your health insurance: The cost your employer contributed to your premium, in addition to the 2% service fee on the cost of your insurance.
What is not covered under COBRA?
COBRA also does not cover plans that provide only life insurance or disability benefits, as those benefits are not considered “medical care.”
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 insurance end the day you quit?
When you leave or are let go from a job, your health insurance either expires on your last day of work or at the end of the month of your exit, says Andy Gillin, attorney and managing partner at GJEL Accident Attorneys. For example, if you quit on July 15th, your coverage usually continues until July 31st.
Is COBRA coverage worth it?
“If you're close to meeting your deductible on your current insurance plan and you have high health care costs, it may be worth it to temporarily stay on your COBRA plan,” explains Donovan. The same holds true if you're far into your employer plan's year and have already met your deductible.
What disqualifies an employee for 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.
Is COBRA better than Obamacare?
Both COBRA and ACA Marketplace plans have their advantages. COBRA lets you keep your exact employer-based plan but is often more expensive. ACA plans may be more affordable, especially with subsidies, but require choosing a new plan. The best choice depends on your financial situation and healthcare needs.
Is COBRA tax deductible?
Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.
How long can I stay on COBRA?
You can stay on COBRA for 18 or 36 Months
COBRA coverage generally lasts 18 months for the employee. However, dependents on the plan, such as a spouse or children, can be eligible for up to 36 months of coverage under certain circumstances, like divorce or the death of the covered employee.
What percentage of people take COBRA?
Roughly 15 percent of UI beneficiaries received health insurance coverage via COBRA. Taking into account the main eligibility requirements for the ARRA subsidy, we estimate that between a quarter and a third of eligible unemployed workers enrolled in subsidized COBRA for continuing health insurance.
Are there alternatives to COBRA?
Instead of enrolling in COBRA continuation coverage, there may be other more affordable coverage options for you and your family through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or other group health plan coverage (such as a spouse's plan) through what is called a “special enrollment period.” Some of these options ...
Why is COBRA so much more expensive?
Loss of Employer Subsidy: When you were employed, your employer likely subsidized a significant portion of your health insurance premium. However, with COBRA, the employer is no longer required to contribute to the premium, leaving you responsible for the full cost of the insurance, plus added administrative fees.
Does COBRA coverage begin 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.
Am I automatically enrolled in COBRA?
Your former employer will send you details about how to sign up. They have 30 days from this qualifying event to let the COBRA administrator know of your election. Keep in mind that if you wait to enroll, you won't save any money. COBRA is always retroactive to the day after your employer coverage ends.
Does health insurance end immediately after termination?
Employers aren't required to continue providing health insurance coverage after termination, so most workers lose coverage immediately or at the end of their last month of employment. However, most companies must allow you to stay on your plan through COBRA continuation coverage.
Am I eligible for a COBRA if I quit?
Yes, You Can Get COBRA Insurance After You Quit Your Job
To be eligible for COBRA, you need to have been a covered employee and must have had insurance coverage at the time of your employment termination.