How long do I have to elect and pay for COBRA?
Asked by: Muhammad Ziemann DVM | Last update: August 25, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (36 votes)
How long can I wait to pay for a COBRA?
The initial premium payment must be made within 45 days after the date of the COBRA election by the qualified beneficiary.
What is the grace period to elect a 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 elect COBRA and not pay?
When you elect continuation coverage, you cannot be required to send any payment with your election form. 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).
What is the timeline for COBRA offers?
The HR office must provide the Initial General COBRA Notice to covered individuals within 90 days of the coverage effective date. An exception to the 90 day rule is when a qualifying event occurs before the initial notice is provided to the employee.
How do Cobra and Medicare Work Together?
How long do you have to choose COBRA?
Qualified beneficiaries must be given an election period of at least 60 days during which each qualified beneficiary may choose whether to elect COBRA coverage. This period is measured from the later of the date of the qualifying event or the date the COBRA election notice is provided.
How far back can you backdate a COBRA?
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.
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.
Can I ask new employer to pay for COBRA?
Yes, an employer can pay all or part of a former or current employee's COBRA premiums. Employers may do so as a means to assist an employee during a merger, acquisition, layoff, termination, temporary or permanent disability, retirement, or as part of a recruitment strategy.
How much does COBRA typically cost per month?
COBRA coverage is not cheap.
A COBRA premium can cost on average $400 to $700 a month per person.
How do you pay for COBRA coverage?
When and how must payment for COBRA coverage be made? All COBRA premiums must be paid by check or money order. (Note: The University reserves the right to require future payment of COBRA premiums by money orders or certified check due to a check returned because of insufficient funds.)
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.
Why is COBRA so expensive?
Why is COBRA more expensive than employer-sponsored insurance? COBRA is more expensive because the individual is responsible for the entire premium amount without the employer's financial contribution that is provided during active employment.
Can you pay COBRA retroactively?
Some people all this the “60 day loophole for COBRA.” COBRA is retroactive, which means that it begins the day after your employer coverage ends. You'll need to pay your premiums retroactively for the whole period (even if you didn't make any doctor visits).
What is the 60 day rule for COBRA?
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. If you miss the deadline, you may lose the chance to sign up for Federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA.
Can you enroll in COBRA for just one month?
However, if you only need COBRA coverage for a short period of time, such as one or two months, you can pay only for those months from the coverage loss date.
What happens if I elect COBRA but don't pay?
There is no grace period if you're late paying your initial COBRA premium payment. 3 If it isn't paid on time (ie, within 45 days of electing COBRA), you lose your right to have COBRA coverage; you'll have to find other health insurance options or you'll be uninsured.
How long does employer have to pay COBRA?
COBRA and Cal-COBRA
This means your payment is often more expensive than what you paid as an employee. 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.
Does COBRA start the day you quit?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do you keep a COBRA for 36 months?
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.