How do I access my COBRA benefits?
Asked by: Bernard Jones | Last update: June 24, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (45 votes)
How do I access my COBRA account online?
- Enter Username and click Next.
- Enter password and click Sign In.
How do you check your COBRA coverage?
- A private employer (not a government employer), contact the Department of Labor.
- A state or local government employer, call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at 1-877-267-2323 extension 61565.
How does COBRA work after leaving a job?
COBRA is attached to your employer group. Once you get a new employer, you sign up for their benefits and if you lose your job you will get their COBRA ( continuation coverage) if you elect it. You are no longer tied to your former employer.
Is there a website for COBRA?
COBRAinsurance.com is a resource for understanding COBRA continuation coverage, including how it works, how to enroll, and how to manage an existing plan. This website also highlights other health insurance options that may be suitable for individuals and families between employer-sponsored plans.
What Is COBRA for Health Insurance
How do I find out how much my COBRA will cost?
Two Ways To Determine Your Cost
Determining your COBRA insurance cost can be done in two ways: using our COBRA Premium Cost Calculator or referencing your W-2 form. Both methods give an accurate estimate of your monthly premium, including any potential administrative fees.
Is COBRA 18 months or 36 months?
In that case, COBRA lasts for eighteen months. If the qualifying event is the death of the covered employee, divorce or legal separation of the covered employee from the covered employee's spouse, or the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare, COBRA for the spouse or dependent child lasts for 36 months.
Did not receive COBRA paperwork.?
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 health insurance end the day you quit?
When does health insurance expire after leaving a job in California? Your health insurance may expire the day you leave your job, or at the end of that month. For instance, if you quit on January 10th, you may have coverage through January 31st. You'll need to find out what your employer's policy is.
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 do I get COBRA through my employer?
Applying for COBRA begins with the employer who provided the health plan to notify you of your right to continuation. The employer has 30 days to notify the group health plan of the qualifying event. After that, the employer has 14 days to notify you of your COBRA right to keep your work health insurance.
How long does it take for COBRA to show up?
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. You will receive a notice from your employer with information about deadlines for enrollment.
Does COBRA have an app?
Today's consumers are on-the-go and on their phones. Now you can offer the experience members prefer to manage COBRA and Direct Billing information—all without logging into a computer. Our Mobile App lets members securely manage payments and view communications with a touch of a finger.
How do I find my COBRA coverage?
You should get a notice in the mail about your COBRA and Cal-COBRA rights. You have 60 days after being notified to sign up. If you are eligible for Federal COBRA and did not get a notice, contact your employer. If you are eligible for Cal-COBRA and did not get a notice, contact your health plan.
How do I make my COBRA payment?
From your online Vita COBRA member portal, go to the “Make Payment” option and select your payment method. One-time electronic payments will be drafted from your bank account approximately 4-5 business days after you make payment online.
Can I do COBRA online?
Possibly. If the employer uses a third-party COBRA Administrator, they may use online accounts to manage the collection of premium payments, paperless billing and other notifications. Sometimes, an employer may manage their COBRA continuation themselves through the HR Department.
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.
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.
Why is my insurance still active after I quit my job?
COBRA. COBRA allows workers to maintain health insurance after leaving a job. Whether you quit or got laid off, you can still qualify for COBRA—though there may be exceptions if you were fired for gross misconduct, such as stealing, assault, harassment, or similar offenses.
How do I get my COBRA letter?
Your employer must mail you the COBRA information and forms within 14 days after receiving notification of the qualifying event. You are responsible for making sure your COBRA coverage goes into and stays in effect - if you do not ask for COBRA coverage before the deadline, you may lose your right to COBRA coverage.
What happens if an employer never sends a COBRA?
Employers who fail to comply with the COBRA requirements can be required to pay a steep price. Failure to provide the COBRA election notice within this time period can subject employers to a penalty of up to $110 per day, as well as the cost of medical expenses incurred by the qualified beneficiary.
How long does it take to get a COBRA payment?
You can be required, however, to make an initial premium payment within 45 days after the date of your COBRA election (that is the date you mail in your election form, if you use first-class mail). Failure to make any payment within that period of time could cause you to lose all COBRA rights.
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.
Is COBRA a monthly payment?
The plan must allow qualified beneficiaries to pay the required premiums on a monthly basis if they ask to do so, and may allow payments at other intervals (for example, weekly or quarterly). Plans cannot require qualified beneficiaries to pay a premium when they make the COBRA election.
How do I contact COBRA?
Call 1-866-444-3272. You may qualify to keep your health coverage with COBRA. Call today.