What is the 30-day grace period with COBRA?

Asked by: Ms. Ruth Abshire  |  Last update: July 1, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

Is there a grace period? The COBRA law allows for a 30-day grace period, after the premium due date, for paying or postmarking your premium. Please note, 30 days does NOT mean 31 days. There is no way to extend the deadline, even if you are out of town or forget to make your payment.

What is the COBRA 60 day loophole?

Generous Time to Enroll

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 long can you do COBRA after quitting?

COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months).

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.

What are the rules for COBRA coverage?

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.

Got COBRA? Here's How Medicare and COBRA Work When You're 65+

20 related questions found

Is there a grace period for COBRA 30 days?

Is there a grace period? The COBRA law allows for a 30-day grace period, after the premium due date, for paying or postmarking your premium. Please note, 30 days does NOT mean 31 days. There is no way to extend the deadline, even if you are out of town or forget to make your payment.

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.

How long do you have to send a COBRA notice?

14-Day Notice Period

The HR office must provide the COBRA Election Notice and Election Form to qualified beneficiaries within 14 days from the date of the qualifying event or loss of coverage, or when the HR office is notified, whichever comes first.

Is there a gap in coverage with COBRA?

If you elect COBRA continuation coverage instead of Medicare, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty and may have a gap in coverage if you later decide you want Part B. If you enroll in Medicare Part A or B before your COBRA coverage ends, your plan may terminate your COBRA coverage.

Does COBRA kick in immediately?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is COBRA coverage worth it?

If you're close to meeting your deductible on your current insurance plan and you have high health care costs, it may be worth it to temporarily stay on your COBRA plan,” explains Donovan. The same holds true if you're far into your employer plan's year and have already met your deductible.

Will COBRA pay retroactively?

COBRA coverage is retroactive if elected and paid for by the qualified beneficiary.

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.

How does COBRA work after resignation?

Regardless if you quit, got fired, were laid off or retired you have the right to continue the employer's group health insurance for up to 18 months. You will coordinate this benefit with the human resources department of the employer or their third-party administrator.

What happens if an employer doesn't send a 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.

Does COBRA have a 30 day grace period?

How long of a grace period do I have? 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.

What is the timeline for COBRA notice?

You have 30 days to alert your healthcare plan administrator. The plan administrator then has 14 days to reach out to the impacted employees with election notices. Employees have 60 days to accept or decline COBRA.

Can I sue my employer for not offering me a COBRA?

In certain cases, yes, you can sue your employer for not offering COBRA. Employers are obligated to inform eligible employees about the availability of insurance coverage under COBRA and the requirement for employees to pay the full premium.

What are the initial COBRA notice requirements?

For COBRA Initial Notice
  • Whether or not qualified beneficiaries are required to pay for COBRA continuation coverage.
  • Whether or not your plan provides retiree health coverage.
  • Information about qualifying events. ...
  • Information about providing a disability extension notice. ...
  • Plan contact information.

How long does it take for COBRA to work?

Directions. Take one capsule, one hour before sexual performance.

Can I extend COBRA coverage?

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.