Do you qualify for COBRA if you quit?

Asked by: Christine Zemlak  |  Last update: April 14, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (6 votes)

If I voluntarily leave my employment, is that considered to be a qualifying event? Answer: Yes. Unless the covered employee was terminated due to gross misconduct, it does not matter whether the employee voluntarily terminated employment or was discharged. What benefits are available under COBRA?

How does COBRA work if I quit my job?

COBRA health insurance provides for the continuation of group health coverage when you quit, retire or are fired from a job that offered a qualifying plan. It can also be applied if your hours are reduced so that you no longer meet your employer's criteria for plan eligibility. The only exception is dismissal for gross.

Who is not eligible 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.

Are you eligible for COBRA if you leave voluntarily?

For “covered employees,” the only qualifying event is termination of employment (whether the termination is voluntary or involuntary) including by retirement, or reduction of employment hours. In that case, COBRA lasts for eighteen months.

When you resign from a job, what happens to your insurance?

If you leave your company, you will lose your coverage. Your HR will explain when the end date of your coverage is. You will not have to reimburse the health insurance for claims that they paid as long as you had active coverage for those dates of service.

Understanding your health insurance options if you leave your employer

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Do you lose insurance immediately after quitting?

When Does Health Insurance Expire After Leaving a Job? 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.

What is the 60 day loophole for cobras?

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 if my employer didn't send me COBRA information?

What If I Did Not Receive a COBRA Election Letter? We recommend working with the employer's human resources department. Call and ask them to resend the health insurance continuation election form. They may refer you to their third-party administrator.

Does COBRA start 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.

Are you eligible for COBRA if you are laid off?

If you are laid off, your employer benefits like health insurance are also terminated. However, a federal program known as COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) allows you to keep your group plan for up to 3 years after your employment ends.

How do I know if I'm eligible for COBRA?

COBRA coverage follows a "qualifying event". An example of a qualifying event would be if your hours were reduced or you lost your job (as long as there was no gross misconduct). Your employer must mail you the COBRA information and forms within 14 days after receiving notification of the qualifying event.

How long is health insurance valid after resignation?

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 expensive is cobra insurance?

The average monthly cost of COBRA Insurance premiums ranges from $400 to $700 per individual.

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 a second qualifying event for COBRA?

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 ...

What is the best health insurance for unemployed people?

The best health insurance for unemployed individuals depends on your specific needs and financial situation. Medicaid offers health coverage for those with little to no income. For others, the Health Insurance Marketplace may provide affordable plans, especially for those eligible for financial help to lower costs.

Can I get COBRA if I quit?

Whether you quit, get fired or are laid off, you may be able to choose your former employer's health plan under a federal law called COBRA. That stands for Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act. It's available if: You were enrolled in an employer-sponsored medical, dental or vision plan.

How long does it take for COBRA to work?

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What is the grace period for COBRA?

Is there a grace period? The COBRA law allows for a 30-day grace period, after the premium due date, for paying or postmarking your premium. Please note, 30 days does NOT mean 31 days. There is no way to extend the deadline, even if you are out of town or forget to make your payment.

Can I be denied COBRA benefits?

Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA. Gross misconduct is not specifically defined by COBRA, but when based on an employer's practice or policy it could include misrepresentation during the hiring process or falsifying information on a Form I-9.

How long does HR have to send COBRA notice?

14-Day Notice Period

The HR office must provide the COBRA Election Notice and Election Form to qualified beneficiaries within 14 days from the date of the qualifying event or loss of coverage, or when the HR office is notified, whichever comes first.

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.

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.

Can I go to the doctor while waiting for a COBRA?

You will be reimbursed for any medical bills that you pay out-of-pocket during this period. Contact the plan administrator for more information on filing a claim for benefits. Complete plan rules are available from the employer's benefits offices.

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.