Can you extend COBRA past 18 months?
Asked by: Prof. Caesar O'Conner | Last update: August 14, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (31 votes)
How do I extend my COBRA coverage beyond 18 months?
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.
What is the 18 month rule for COBRA?
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.
Can COBRA be extended beyond 18 months due to disability?
In certain circumstances, if a disabled individual and non-disabled family members are qualified beneficiaries, they are eligible for up to an 11-month extension of COBRA continuation coverage, for a total of 29 months.
How long can you use COBRA after leaving a job?
COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months). You usually pay the full premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee.
How to Renew COBRA Health Insurance After 18 Months : COBRA Insurance
Is COBRA good for 36 months?
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".
What is the 60 day 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 is the grace period for COBRA payments?
After you are established on your COBRA coverage, ongoing monthly payments are due the first day of each month. There is a grace period of 30 days from the due date for ongoing monthly premium payments. If you mail your payment, it must be postmarked within the 30-day grace period.
How does COBRA work for long term disability?
The COBRA continuation coverage may be extended if an individual is deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the individual meets certain requirements. This allows a qualified beneficiary to remain covered under COBRA until they become eligible for Medicare.
Why is COBRA so expensive?
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 the timeline for COBRA for employers?
COBRA Notice Timeline: A Brief Recap
You must notify all qualified impacted employees about their COBRA and election rights. You have 30 days to alert your healthcare plan administrator. The plan administrator then has 14 days to reach out to the impacted employees with election notices.
Is there a gap in coverage with COBRA?
If you elect COBRA continuation coverage instead of Medicare, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty and may have a gap in coverage if you later decide you want Part B. If you enroll in Medicare Part A or B before your COBRA coverage ends, your plan may terminate your COBRA coverage.
Is COBRA cheaper than marketplace?
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.
What do I do when my COBRA expires?
What to Do When COBRA Runs Out. It's important to act quickly if you need health insurance after your COBRA coverage ends. You only have 60 days to enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan under the Special Enrollment Period, starting from the date you lost COBRA coverage.
Can COBRA be extended beyond 18 months in Texas?
The initial 18-month period of COBRA coverage may be extended up to 36 months for your dependents in the event of death, divorce or the loss of status as a dependent child during their initial COBRA eligibility period. For these situations, COBRA coverage cannot be continued beyond 36 months.
What happens if I turn 26 while on COBRA?
Turning 26 initiates a special enrollment period, requiring you to find new coverage. Options include COBRA continuation, short-term insurance, marketplace plans, or employer-sponsored plans.
Can COBRA be extended due to disability?
To be eligible for an extension, your disability must continue for the rest of the 18-month period of COBRA coverage. Contact your plan for more information on receiving an extension.
What happens when an employee goes on long-term disability?
In California, specific regulations prevent employers from setting a predetermined termination date based on a lengthy disability leave. Instead, the duration of LTD benefits and employment status while on leave is influenced by the individual's policy and the nature of their contract with the employer.
What is 36 months for COBRA?
California law requires most companies to extend COBRA benefits for a total of 36 months when a person is entitled to fewer than 36 months of federal COBRA coverage. Some companies are exempt from this requirement.
How long can COBRA be extended?
California Insurance Code (CIC) Section 10128.59 provides extension under Cal-COBRA for those who have exhausted their 18 months on federal COBRA (or longer in special circumstances) for a total extension that cannot exceed 36 months.
What is the 60-day loophole for COBRA?
What is the COBRA Loophole 60 Days? The Cobra Loophole 60 Days allows you to defer your decision about COBRA insurance until the very last day of the 60-day period. This gives you a window of time where you don't need to pay any premiums, yet you're still covered if an emergency occurs.
What is the penalty for late COBRA notice?
The employer penalties for not complying with the COBRA:
The IRS can charge you $100 tax per day of noncompliance per person or $200 tax per day per family.
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.
Can you do COBRA retroactively?
COBRA is always retroactive to the day after your employer coverage ends. So, you'll need to pay your premiums for that period too.
What is the timeline for COBRA?
60 days: The COBRA-eligible participant(s) have 60 days to enroll in coverage. If the COBRA-eligible participant does not elect coverage within 60 days after the notification, they are no longer eligible to elect.