How many months is Cal-COBRA?
Asked by: Mrs. Octavia Herzog | Last update: October 13, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (66 votes)
How long is the Cal-COBRA program?
Duration of Coverage Continuation
Federal COBRA generally extends health coverage for 18 months. Individuals with certain qualifying events may be eligible for a longer extension (e.g., 29 or 36 months). Cal-COBRA allows individuals to continue their group health coverage for up to 36 months.
Is COBRA 18 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.
What is the Cal-COBRA rate?
Deadline: Employees must sign up with the health plan within 60 days of receiving notice of eligibility for federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA. Cost: For COBRA, employees are responsible for the entire cost, up to 102% of the group rate. For Cal-COBRA, the cost may range from 110% to 150% of the group rate.
Can Cal-COBRA be extended?
California Insurance Code (CIC) Section 10128.59 provides extension under Cal-COBRA for those who have exhausted their 18 months on federal COBRA (or longer in special circumstances) for a total extension that cannot exceed 36 months.
Cal COBRA 18 months of coverage for CA after Federal Cobra Expires
How does Cal-COBRA work?
When Federal COBRA ends, eligible employees can buy 18 months additional health coverage under Cal-COBRA. All qualified beneficiaries are generally eligible for continuation coverage for 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary's benefits would otherwise have terminated.
How do I extend my COBRA after 18 months?
If you are entitled to an 18 month maximum period of continuation coverage, you may become eligible for an extension of the maximum time period in two circumstances. The first is when a qualified beneficiary is disabled; the second is when a second qualifying event occurs.
What is the 60 day loophole for cobras?
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 much is COBRA for two months?
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. Your recent employer's monthly insurance contribution.
Who sends Cal-COBRA notice?
When employees or dependents experience a qualifying event, employers must provide an election notice within 14 days of the notice of the qualifying event, notifying them of their eligibility to enroll in Cal-COBRA coverage, the terms and amount of the premium payment, and the beginning and ending dates of coverage.
Does COBRA automatically cancel after 18 months?
If you get COBRA, you must pay for the entire premium, including any portion that your employer may have paid in the past. 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.
What is the administration fee for Cal COBRA?
The cost of COBRA is the same premium charged to the district for the plan that the member was enrolled in prior to losing coverage, plus a 2% administration fee for Federal COBRA and 10% administration fee for State Continuation (CalCOBRA).
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 long is the Cal Grant?
As a Cal Grant recipient, you may receive up to the equivalent of four years of full-time grant payments. The duration of your eligibility will be based on your educational level at the time you receive your first Cal Grant payment. Your eligibility will be reduced by each term that you receive payment.
What is 36 months for COBRA?
California law requires most companies to extend COBRA benefits for a total of 36 months when a person is entitled to fewer than 36 months of federal COBRA coverage. Some companies are exempt from this requirement.
Does Cal-COBRA cover dental?
Length of COBRA Continuation
An event that qualifies for 18 months can be extended another 18 months for California-based employers, making it 36 months under Cal-COBRA. This only covers medical, not dental or vision.
Is COBRA only good for 18 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.
How does COBRA work in California?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, ...
Can you use COBRA if you quit?
Whether you quit, get fired or are laid off, you may be able to choose your former employer's health plan under a federal law called COBRA. That stands for Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act. It's available if: You were enrolled in an employer-sponsored medical, dental or vision plan.
Does health insurance end immediately after termination?
Employers aren't required to continue providing health insurance coverage after termination, so most workers lose coverage immediately or at the end of their last month of employment. However, most companies must allow you to stay on your plan through COBRA continuation coverage.
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.
Can my new employer pay my COBRA premiums?
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 long does Calcobra last?
Individuals who are employed by California employers at the time they become eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and whose COBRA coverage would otherwise end in 18 months may, under Cal-COBRA, continue their coverage with the same group carrier or HMO for up to a total of 36 months.
What is the difference between cal-COBRA and federal COBRA?
The relationship between federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA is essentially that Cal-COBRA extends COBRA an extra 18 months for qualifying California residents. That is, federal COBRA gives individuals up to 18 months of coverage after a qualifying event has taken place.
Who is eligible for a Cal-COBRA extension?
California has enacted a law that can extend health care continuation coverage for all individuals to 36 months, rather than the 18 or 29 months that may be provided under COBRA for loss of coverage due to termination of employment or a reduction in hours worked.