How do I get a refund from COBRA?

Asked by: Berniece Gorczany  |  Last update: December 11, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (74 votes)

COBRA is the law that requires your previous employer to offer coverage through their group health plan. You would need to contact your previous employer's COBRA Administrator (usually in the HR Department) or you may contact your provider directly to inquire about a refund for payments you've made after cancellation.

How do I get reimbursed through COBRA?

How do I file a COBRA claim for reimbursement of benefits? Your COBRA paperwork must explain how to obtain benefits and must include written procedures for processing claims. Claims procedures must be described in the Summary Plan Description.

How do I claim my COBRA subsidy credit?

Request a Refund for Amounts Paid in COBRA Premiums Exceeding Federal Employment Tax Liability: The employer may claim the Credit through an employment tax refund on the applicable employment tax return, generally Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return.

How to cancel COBRA online?

You can make changes or cancel your COBRA coverage by logging into MyBenefits.WageWorks.com. To find out how to make changes or terminate coverage continue reading or jump to a section with these links: Making changes to COBRA coverage. Change in Life Status Events.

Can a company reimburse COBRA premiums?

Some employers may subsidize or pay the entire cost of health coverage, including COBRA coverage, for terminating employees and their families as part of a severance agreement.

How To Cancel COBRA Insurance | cancel cobra insurance plan

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Can I get a refund from COBRA?

Generally, there are no refunds when you cancel your plan early. You may contact your administrator or your past employer for specific insurance payment information.

Can an employer make you pay back insurance premiums?

Summary. Under California employment law, an employer generally cannot require an employee to repay health insurance premiums. The employer's business practice may violate California employment laws.

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.

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.

How do I contact COBRA?

Call 1-866-444-3272. You may qualify to keep your health coverage with COBRA. Call today.

Can you claim a COBRA on taxes?

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.

What is the COBRA premium subsidy?

The federal government initiated several programs to address the challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak. One of these programs was the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy, which excluded qualified individuals from paying premiums for a specified duration.

How do I access my COBRA benefits?

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.

Are COBRA payments reported on W-2?

In general, each employer providing coverage will have to report the prorated cost on the employee's W-2. If the employee is terminated, the employer can also include the COBRA payment amounts paid by the employee after termination.

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 much will my COBRA payment be?

As a result of these factors, your COBRA premium will typically be higher than the amount previously deducted from your paycheck. 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.

What to do when COBRA is too expensive?

If you decide COBRA is too expensive, consider a Marketplace health insurance plan for your coverage needs.

What are the cons of COBRA?

What are the disadvantages of COBRA insurance?
  • It's expensive. Your premiums will probably go up since your employer isn't contributing. ...
  • You're subject to your employer's plan offerings. You might lose COBRA coverage if the employer changes its plan or goes out of business.

Can you cancel a COBRA at any time?

Yes, you can cancel COBRA coverage at any time. However, be aware that cancellation does not trigger a special enrollment period for new health insurance.

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.

What happens if you never pay COBRA?

If you fail to make any payment before the end of the initial 45-day period, the plan can terminate your COBRA rights.

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 an employer reimburse COBRA premiums?

Yes, an employer can pay all or part of a former or current employee's COBRA premiums.

Can an insurance company make you pay back money?

Yes, it can and likely will if you recover compensation for medical costs. The argument for this is that your insurer would not have had to pay the medical expenses if not for the liable party's actions. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can assist you with paying back the insurance company after a settlement.

What can you not do while on FMLA?

It's fine to continue to work while you're on FMLA, as long as you're doing it voluntarily and not because your employer is forcing you. Another thing you can't do is lie to your employer about why you're taking FMLA. That's called fraud – it's going to get you fired.