Is expiration of COBRA a qualifying event?
Asked by: Friedrich Hackett | Last update: July 14, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (68 votes)
What happens when a COBRA expires?
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.
What is not a COBRA qualifying event?
Coverage provided under the FMLA is not COBRA coverage, and taking FMLA leave is not a qualifying event under COBRA.
Which of the following would not be a qualifying event under COBRA?
Under COBRA, the event that does NOT qualify for continued health coverage is gross misconduct. This means if an employee is terminated for gross misconduct, they are not eligible for COBRA benefits. The correct answer is option C: Gross misconduct.
What are examples of a qualifying event?
- Gaining a dependent or becoming a dependent through birth or adoption.
- Getting married.
- Applicant or dependent lost minimum essential coverage due to termination or change in employment status.
- Cessation of an employer's contribution toward an employee or dependents coverage.
What is a COBRA Qualifying Event
Is COBRA expiration a qualifying event?
If you're losing COBRA continuation coverage because the coverage ran out or your former employer ends their contributions, causing you to pay the full cost of insurance, you qualify for a special enrollment period.
What is not a qualifying life event?
Is Changing Jobs a Qualifying Life Event? No, changing jobs within an organization is not a qualifying life event. Your employer-based coverage will remain the same until you have the opportunity to make changes during the open enrollment period.
What are the 7 COBRA qualifying events?
The seven COBRA qualifying events that allow individuals to maintain their employer-sponsored health insurance include termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, reduction in the number of work hours, divorce or legal separation from the covered employee, the covered employee becoming entitled ...
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.
Do you qualify for 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.
What are the rules for COBRA coverage?
- Your group health plan must be covered by COBRA.
- A qualifying event must occur.
- You must be a qualified beneficiary for that event.
Is FMLA a COBRA qualifying event?
Group health coverage that is provided under the FMLA during a family or medical leave is not COBRA continuation coverage, and taking FMLA leave is not a qualifying event under COBRA.
Is a strike a COBRA qualifying event?
For example, a strike or a lockout is a termination or reduction of hours that constitutes a qualifying event if the strike or lockout results in a loss of coverage as described in paragraph (c) of Q&A-1 of this section. Similarly, a layoff that results in such a loss of coverage is a qualifying event.
Is COBRA 18 months 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 to do after cobra insurance runs out?
When all COBRA/Cal-COBRA extensions are exhausted, you can get individual health insurance under HIPAA (see below) or you may purchase a policy on the individual market. You can compare your COBRA premium with a similar policy on the individual/family market to find out which is best for you.
Can I switch from COBRA to private insurance?
You can only drop COBRA and sign up for a Marketplace plan and premium tax credits during Open Enrollment. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effective on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins.
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.
Who does not qualify for COBRA?
Indemnity policies, PPOs, HMOs, and self-insured plans are all eligible for COBRA extension; however, federal government employee plans and church plans are exempt from COBRA. Individual health insurance is also exempt from COBRA extension.
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.
Is ending COBRA a qualifying life event?
Losing COBRA Benefits
Here's the good news: Rolling off of COBRA coverage is a qualifying event that opens a special enrollment period for you to purchase your own health coverage. And you'll have more options, flexibility and control of your health plan outside of COBRA with an individual health insurance plan.
How do I extend my COBRA to 36 months?
Qualifying events
Must be reported within 60 days of the second qualifying event. Qualified beneficiary must report event to COBRA administrator on the Notice to Extend COBRA Continuation Coverage. Never extend coverage beyond 36 months from original COBRA eligibility date.
Which of the following is not a COBRA qualifying event?
Taking a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) is not a COBRA qualifying event because FMLA requires a covered employer to maintain group health plan benefits for an employee so the employee has no coverage loss.
How to prove qualifying life event?
- Marriage license for marriage.
- Divorce papers for divorce.
- Birth certificate for the birth of a child.
- Adoption papers for adoption.
- Death certificate for a change in household due to death.
- Written job offer for employment-related moves.
What is a non qualifying life policy?
Non-qualifying policies tend to be policies which are funded by a single premium rather than regular contributions. They are much more likely to give rise to tax consequences when they mature. We explain how to work out if tax on non-qualifying policies is due below.
Is financial hardship a qualifying event?
Financial Hardship is NOT a Qualifying Event
The IRS does not recognize financial hardship as a qualifying event for making changes to your elections.