Is Ltd a COBRA qualifying event?

Asked by: Ms. Halie Kilback II  |  Last update: August 22, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (9 votes)

STD and LTD benefits generally provide income replacement for individuals who must take a leave of absence from work due to a qualifying condition instead of medical care. Because STD and LTD typically do not provide medical care, they're not subject to COBRA and would not be required to continue under COBRA.

Is long term disability a COBRA qualifying event?

“Because long-term disability plans do not provide medical care; instead, they provide income replacement, they are not subject to COBRA and would not be required to be continued under COBRA,” Carlton says. To read the article visit HR Dive.

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 ...

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.

Is leaving COBRA a qualifying event?

However, you won't qualify if you decide to end COBRA early and are paying the full benefit cost yourself. You also don't qualify if you lose your COBRA coverage because you didn't pay your premiums. Remember, you don't need a special enrollment period if you voluntarily end COBRA during open enrollment.

What is a COBRA Qualifying Event

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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 examples of a qualifying event?

Qualifying Life Events
  • 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 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 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.

What plans are not subject to 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.

What happens if I elect COBRA but don't pay?

There is no grace period if you're late paying your initial COBRA premium payment. 3 If it isn't paid on time (ie, within 45 days of electing COBRA), you lose your right to have COBRA coverage; you'll have to find other health insurance options or you'll be uninsured.

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.

Is LTD subject to COBRA?

Because STD and LTD typically do not provide medical care, they're not subject to COBRA and would not be required to continue under COBRA. However, although uncommon, if an STD or LTD insurance provided medical care, it may be considered a group health plan under COBRA and subject to continuation coverage.

Which reasons are considered an employee qualifying event for COBRA?

What are the qualifying events for eligibility for Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA?
  • The employee is no longer employed for any reason other than gross misconduct.
  • The employee's hours are cut.

Who pays health insurance while on long-term disability?

The bad news is that your employer will likely not pay for your health insurance when you are on long-term disability. Their only legal obligation is to keep paying your health insurance while you are on medical leave.

What is not a COBRA qualifying event?

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 disability a COBRA qualifying event?

In order to qualify for the disability extension to COBRA continuation coverage, a qualified beneficiary must be found by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be disabled within the meaning of Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act.

Is going on FMLA a qualifying life event?

In addition to medical leave, the birth of a newborn or the placement of a child in adoption or foster care is also considered an FMLA qualifying event.

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 pays for COBRA after termination?

COBRA and Cal-COBRA

COBRA allows former employees, retirees, and their dependents to temporarily keep their health coverage. If you get COBRA, you must pay for the entire premium, including any portion that your employer may have paid in the past.

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.

Is the end of COBRA a qualifying 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.

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 an example of a qualifying statement?

Rather than saying ''You will get a raise,'' or ''You will get an A in this class,'' you might say something like ''My hope is that you earn an A in this course,'' or ''The plan is to give you a raise in three months. '' These qualifying statements suggest what may happen in the future without making a promise.