How long does COBRA last in Florida?

Asked by: Reese Farrell  |  Last update: October 21, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (19 votes)

How long does COBRA coverage last? COBRA requires that continuation coverage extend from the date of the qualifying event for a limited period of 18 or 36 months. The length of time depends on the type of qualifying event that gave rise to the COBRA rights.

How long can you get COBRA after you quit your 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.

What is the COBRA law in Florida?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows employees, retirees, and their families, to continue coverage of health, dental and vision benefits through their employer group plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances, including: Voluntary or involuntary job loss.

Is COBRA 18 or 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".

Does Florida have state continuation for COBRA?

In Florida, both federal COBRA continuation coverage and state continuation coverage are available. Federal COBRA covers employees who have lost their jobs, while state continuation coverage provides similar benefits for employees who have left a company with 2-19 employees.

Everything you Need to Know about COBRA Insurance

30 related questions found

Can I extend COBRA past 18 months?

Consumers may also extend COBRA continuation coverage longer than the initial 18-month period with a second qualifying event —e.g., divorce or death— up to an additional 18 months, for a total of 36 months.

Does COBRA count if you quit?

COBRA allows you to continue coverage — typically for up to 18 months — after you leave your employer.

How does COBRA work after termination?

(California passed a similar law known as “Cal-COBRA.”) Under COBRA, the group plan health insurance plan made available to terminated workers provides the exact same benefits as they would receive if they were still a member of the group, except that the employees have to pay the employer's cost of providing the ...

How can I avoid paying COBRA?

If you want to avoid paying the COBRA cost, go with a short-term plan if you're waiting for approval on another health plan. Choose a Marketplace or independent plan for broader coverage. Choose a high-deductible plan to keep your costs low.

What age does COBRA end?

If you become eligible for Medicare after you've signed up for COBRA, your COBRA benefits cease at age 65, no matter how many months of COBRA coverage you were offered.

Does Florida offer mini-COBRA?

In addition, Florida is among the states that have a mini-COBRA law, which ensures that individuals who work for employers with less than 20 employees are similarly covered after a “qualifying event.”

What is the mini-COBRA statute in Florida?

NOTE: Under Florida's mini-COBRA law, the employee must notify the insurer within 63 days of losing group eligibility that he or she is eligible to continue coverage. Continuation of coverage runs from a minimum of 18 months to a maximum of 36 months under COBRA, depending upon the individual situation.

How many months of COBRA do I need for retirement?

Under COBRA, a retired employee can receive the same health insurance coverage for up to 18 months. But you must pay the entire premium - part of which your employer probably previously covered. In some cases, people who opt to use COBRA also have to pay an extra 2% to cover administrative fees associated with it.

Is COBRA cheaper than marketplace?

Benefits of Getting Coverage Through The Healthcare Insurance Marketplace (HIM) In general, COBRA tends to be more expensive than HIM plans. Even though you are eligible to receive the same insurance that you had through your employer, you are now responsible for paying the entire premium cost.

When you resign from a job what are you entitled to?

These benefits may include severance pay, health insurance, accrued vacation, overtime, unused sick pay, and retirement plans. Companies aren't obligated to provide severance. However, many employers do provide severance pay. Line up references before you leave.

What is the timeline for 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.

Is there a better option than COBRA?

If COBRA doesn't work for you, the Health Insurance Marketplace is a great health coverage option for both individuals and families. Many states run their own health exchanges where you can shop, compare and enroll in a plan that works best for you and your budget.

What is the COBRA loophole?

Cal-COBRA is a California Law that lets you keep your group health plan when your job ends or your hours are cut. It may also be available to people who have exhausted their Federal COBRA.

What disqualifies an employee for COBRA?

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.

Does COBRA start immediately after termination?

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 happens when COBRA runs out?

When your COBRA coverage expires, you will qualify for a special enrollment period to sign up for a marketplace ACA health insurance plan. There are also other options, such as Mira.

Does COBRA affect Medicare?

If you have COBRA and you're eligible for Medicare, COBRA may only pay a small portion of your medical costs, and you may have to pay most of the costs yourself.

Is COBRA a good idea?

COBRA can help bridge the health insurance gap until you qualify for another health plan. You have up to 60 days to accept if you don't sign up for COBRA right away. Coverage is retroactive. You can keep using the same claims filing methods, doctors, and pharmacists that you're used to.

How do you calculate COBRA cost?

If you want to figure this out on your own, ask HR how much your employer is contributing toward your monthly coverage. Then, check your pay stub to see how much you're contributing. After adding these figures, add another 2% (for the service fee). This will show you exactly how much you'll expect to pay for COBRA.

How do you quit a job for health reasons?

A claimant who leaves work due to fear of becoming ill or being injured has good cause if the claimant has a reasonable basis to believe that there is an undue risk of injury or illness . . . . Minor chronic health conditions that are not aggravated or significantly affected by the work do not justify leaving the work.