Is going part-time a qualifying event for COBRA?
Asked by: Melvin Volkman | Last update: June 9, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (25 votes)
Are part-time employees eligible for COBRA?
Question: Who is entitled to benefits under COBRA? Group health plans for employers with 20 or more employees on more than 50 percent of its typical business days in the previous calendar year are subject to COBRA. Both full and part-time employees are counted to determine whether a plan is subject to COBRA.
Which of the following is not a qualifying event for COBRA?
Coverage provided under the FMLA is not COBRA coverage, and taking FMLA leave is not a qualifying event under COBRA.
What is considered a COBRA qualifying event?
The following are qualifying events: the death of the covered employee; a covered employee's termination of employment or reduction of the hours of employment; the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare; divorce or legal separation from the covered employee; or a dependent child ceasing to be a dependent under ...
Is going from part-time to full-time a qualifying event?
If you change your employment status during the Plan Year, so that you switch from full-time to part-time or from part-time to full-time, the change is a qualifying event and would permit you to make a mid-year change in your Elections.
What is a COBRA Qualifying Event
What happens when an employee goes from full-time to part-time?
A change to a part-time position could result in a loss of coverage if the employee fails to work 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month, and the employer is not required to continue to offer coverage to avoid potential ACA employer shared responsibility penalties because the employee is treated as part-time for such ...
What are examples of a qualifying event?
- Getting married or divorced.
- Having a baby or adopting a child.
- Death in the family.
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.
Is resignation a qualifying event for COBRA?
You are covered under COBRA if you quit your job voluntarily. This protects workers and their qualified dependents with continuing health coverage after the covered beneficiary decides to stop working.
How do you determine COBRA eligibility?
COBRA eligibility has three basic requirements that must be met for you to get a continuation of coverage: Your group health plan must be covered by COBRA. A qualifying event must occur. You must be a qualified beneficiary for that event.
What is not covered under COBRA?
COBRA also does not cover plans that provide only life insurance or disability benefits, as those benefits are not considered “medical care.”
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.
What is the time limit for COBRA?
Periods of Coverage
In most cases, COBRA coverage for the covered employee lasts a maximum of 18 months. However, the following exceptions apply: 29-Month Period (Disability Extension): Special rules apply for certain disabled individuals and family members.
Which of the following is not an element of COBRA qualification?
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 does a mini COBRA work?
Unlike federal COBRA, which applies to larger employers, Cal-COBRA ensures that employees of small businesses have the option to continue their health insurance for up to 36 months after leaving their job or experiencing a reduction in work hours.
How long after leaving a job can you get 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.
What is not a qualifying event under COBRA?
A loss of coverage caused by an event not listed as a triggering event will not result in a right to continuation coverage under COBRA. This includes events such as a change in plan eligibility rules, failure to pay plan premiums, or an employee's decision to voluntarily drop coverage.
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 long does it take for a COBRA to kick in?
COBRA coverage timeline
The coverage starts the day the previous coverage ends. The employer's COBRA administrator is responsible for sending out an election notice with information about deadlines for enrollment. For example, if employment ends on April 25, COBRA will pick up where the group health plan ends.
Can employers deny COBRA?
If the former employee is considered an eligible plan participant, then he or she would be a qualified beneficiary and entitled to COBRA coverage unless the second exception (denial based on gross misconduct) is applied. Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA.
Does health insurance end the day you quit?
When does health insurance expire after leaving a job in California? Your health insurance may expire the day you leave your job, or at the end of that month. For instance, if you quit on January 10th, you may have coverage through January 31st. You'll need to find out what your employer's policy is.
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.
How to prove a qualifying 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.
Does quitting your job count as a qualifying event?
Is losing or getting a new job a qualifying life event? Yes, if you lose your employer-sponsored health care, you're eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. There's no distinction between leaving your place of employment willingly, like in the case of resignation, or unwillingly, like with a layoff or firing.
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.