What is the COBRA disability extension?

Asked by: Gino Heidenreich  |  Last update: June 28, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (9 votes)

In certain circumstances, if a disabled individual and non-disabled family members are qualified beneficiaries, they are eligible for up to an 11-month extension of COBRA continuation coverage, for a total of 29 months. The criteria for this 11-month disability extension is a complex area of COBRA law.

How does a COBRA extension work?

Consumers may also extend COBRA continuation coverage longer than the initial 18-month period with a second qualifying event—e.g., divorce or legal separation, death of the covered employee, Medicare entitlement of the covered employee (in certain circumstances), or loss of dependent child status —up to an additional ...

What is a disability extension?

If You Need to Extend Your DI Period

You are eligible to receive benefits until the expected recovery date provided by your physician/practitioner. If you have not fully recovered and need to continue your benefits, you must submit a medical certification.

How do I extend my COBRA benefits beyond 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.

Is COBRA extended for 36 months?

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.

COBRA and Medicare

16 related questions found

Can COBRA be extended beyond 18 months due to disability?

In certain circumstances, if a disabled individual and non-disabled family members are qualified beneficiaries, they are eligible for up to an 11-month extension of COBRA continuation coverage, for a total of 29 months.

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.

How long can you use COBRA after leaving a job?

COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months). You usually pay the full premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee.

What is the grace period for COBRA payments?

After you are established on your COBRA coverage, ongoing monthly payments are due the first day of each month. There is a grace period of 30 days from the due date for ongoing monthly premium payments. If you mail your payment, it must be postmarked within the 30-day grace period.

What happens if I turn 26 while on COBRA?

Turning 26 initiates a special enrollment period, requiring you to find new coverage. Options include COBRA continuation, short-term insurance, marketplace plans, or employer-sponsored plans.

What is the maximum duration for COBRA?

While COBRA is temporary, in most circumstances, you can stay on COBRA for 18 to 36 months.

What is an example of extent of disability?

A measure of the severity of a patient's disability that dictates their coverage level. For example, often insurance policies require an individual to be completely disabled before beginning disability payments, though many offer some amount of payment for partial disability.

How long can you extend disability?

How do I extend my disability benefits in California? If you have not fully recovered by the “expected recovery date” provided by your doctor, you can request an extension to your benefits – assuming you are under the program's 52-week maximum benefit period (39 weeks for self-employed).

What do you do when COBRA runs out?

What to Do When COBRA Runs Out. It's important to act quickly if you need health insurance after your COBRA coverage ends. You only have 60 days to enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan under the Special Enrollment Period, starting from the date you lost COBRA 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.

Can you go on COBRA twice?

It may be possible for qualified beneficiaries to extend their original 18-month period of COBRA continuation coverage for an additional 18 months (for a total maximum coverage period of 36 months) if they experience a second qualifying event. Second qualifying events are: Death of the covered employee.

What is the 60 day rule for COBRA?

You have 60 days after being notified to sign up. If you are eligible for Federal COBRA and did not get a notice, contact your employer. 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.

What is the average monthly cost of COBRA?

COBRA coverage is not cheap.

A COBRA premium can cost on average $400 to $700 a month per person.

Do I have to pay a COBRA right away?

Your Initial COBRA premium must be paid within 45 days of the time you elect COBRA coverage. 1 Your COBRA administrator will consider the date your COBRA election form is postmarked to be the date you elect COBRA. That postmark sets your 45-day clock ticking.

How to extend COBRA coverage?

Qualifying events

Must occur within 18- or 29-month coverage period. 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.

Is insurance good for 30 days after quitting a job?

If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer's health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly.

Is COBRA good for 36 months?

You can collect COBRA benefits for up to 18 months. This may be extended to 36 months under certain circumstances. If your employer has 20 or more employees, it must follow COBRA rules. COBRA coverage follows a "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.

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 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.