How long does HR have to send COBRA notice?
Asked by: Tiana Krajcik | Last update: November 27, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (17 votes)
How long do employers have to send out COBRA letters?
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 is the timeline for COBRA notifications?
90-Day Notice Period
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.
What is the grace period to elect a COBRA?
The grace period is the time between the day that the qualified beneficiary elects COBRA continuation coverage and the day that the premium payment is made. Under the COBRA regulations, health plans are prohibited from requiring payment of any premium prior to 45 days after the date of the COBRA election.
How long does a COBRA take to process?
Coverage under COBRA will be retroactive from your last day of coverage as an active benefits participant. This reinstatement normally takes between 5 and 10 business days from when your first full month of COBRA payment is processed.
When Does an Employer Need to Provide COBRA? - And other HR Questions
Is COBRA active immediately?
COBRA coverage timeline
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.
What to do if you don't receive COBRA paperwork?
First, you should contact your former employer's human resources department to request a new copy of the paperwork. They may be able to send it to you electronically or by mail. If you are unable to obtain a new copy from your former employer, you can also contact the COBRA administrator for your health plan.
What is the 60 day loophole for COBRA?
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.
How late can you pay a COBRA?
The COBRA law allows for a 30-day grace period, after the premium due date, for paying or postmarking your premium.
What is the initial rights notice for COBRA?
This notice is intended to provide a summary of your rights, options, and notification responsibilities under COBRA. Should an actual qualifying event occur in the future and coverage is lost, the CalPERS will provide you (and your covered dependents, if any), with the appropriate COBRA election notice at that time.
How long does it take to enact COBRA?
If you are entitled to elect COBRA coverage, you must be given an election period of at least 60 days (starting on the later of the date you are furnished the election notice or the date you would lose coverage) to choose whether or not to elect continuation coverage.
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 does COBRA work when you leave 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. Contact your employer to learn about your COBRA options.
What happens if employer never sends 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.
Can COBRA notices be sent electronically?
However, because COBRA notices must be provided via first-class mail to the home address where a spouse or dependent is also covered under the plan, the plan administrator must obtain consent from the spouse or dependent before delivering COBRA notices electronically.
What is COBRA compliance for employers?
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) is a federal law that requires employers of 20 or more employees who offer health care benefits to offer the option of continuing this coverage to individuals who would otherwise lose their benefits due to termination of employment, reduction in hours or ...
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 penalty for late COBRA notice?
The employer penalties for not complying with the COBRA:
The IRS can charge you $100 tax per day of noncompliance per person or $200 tax per day per family.
What if I missed the COBRA deadline?
Meet the Deadlines
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. Call the Help Center if you have any questions.
Does COBRA have a grace period?
If your COBRA payment is not made in a timely manner, or within the 30-day grace period then you are risking termination of your COBRA rights and coverage.
Who pays for COBRA 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 ...
Can COBRA work retroactively?
This period is measured from the later of the date of the qualifying event or the date the COBRA election notice is provided. COBRA coverage is retroactive if elected and paid for by the qualified beneficiary.
When should COBRA notice be sent?
Under COBRA, when must the plan administrator provide qualified beneficiaries with the General Notice? The plan administrator must provide qualified beneficiaries with the General Notice within 90 days after initial plan coverage begins.
Why hasn't my COBRA kicked in?
You may be facing a lag time between your payment and the administrator paying the insurance carrier who provides your continuation of group health coverage. To contact your plan administrator, follow the instructions on the original paperwork you were sent about starting COBRA.
How do I get a COBRA termination letter?
When it's time to stop or cancel your coverage, you would need to make a request from the plan administrator to receive a letter of notice of COBRA termination. Typically, the COBRA Administrator is in the HR department or is a third-party administrator.