What is the maximum COBRA coverage?

Asked by: Keara Kuhn  |  Last update: March 19, 2025
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Under the law, people eligible for federal COBRA or state continuation coverage may receive a total of 36 months of coverage.

What is the maximum coverage period for COBRA?

While COBRA is temporary, in most circumstances, you can stay on COBRA for 18 to 36 months. This coverage period provides flexibility to find other health insurance options.

Can COBRA be extended to 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.

What is the maximum COBRA out of pocket?

There is a $2,500 out-of-pocket maximum for individuals and an out-of-pocket maximum of $4,000 for families.

How do I figure out how much COBRA will cost?

In order to calculate the cost of COBRA continuation coverage, add how much the employer contributes to the health plan, plus how much the employee contributes to the health plan, then multiply the sum by 2% for the service fee.

Everything you need to know about COBRA

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What is a typical COBRA payment?

Average Cost of COBRA Insurance in 2025

COBRA is a continuation of your most recent employer group health plan. According to Value Penguin, the average cost of individual health insurance in the United States is $537/month in 2025.

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.

What do I do if COBRA is too expensive?

If COBRA feels expensive, consider ACA plans or short-term health insurance. Marketplace plans during the open enrollment period or a special enrollment period can offer more budget-friendly options.

What is the maximum size of COBRA?

Size and Weight:

The king cobra may grow to be 18.5 feet long, making it the largest venomous snake in the world. On average, king cobras measures 10 to 12 feet in length.

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.

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 to get more than 18 months of COBRA?

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.

Who is not eligible for COBRA?

Why would an employee not qualify to enroll in Cal-COBRA? The employee is enrolled in or eligible for Medicare. The employee does not enroll within 60 days of receiving the notice of eligibility from the employer. The employee is covered by another health plan.

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".

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 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 longest cobra on record?

The longest venomous snake

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake. In 1937, a 5.54-metre-long king cobra was found in Negeri Sembilan state on the Malay Peninsula. Captured and kept at London Zoo, it eventually grew to 5.71 metres.

What is the longest true cobra?

The forest cobra is Africa's largest cobra of the genus Naja and possibly the largest of all the true cobra (Naja) species in the world. The length of an average adult is 1.4 to 2.2 m (4.6 to 7.2 ft), and they regularly attain lengths of 2.7 m (8.9 ft), and lengths up to 3.2 m (10 ft) have been recorded in the wild.

What is the highest age of a cobra?

Estimates of the life span of the Indian cobra vary between about 20 and 30 years. Indian cobras have few predators. Some animals, such as eagles, crocodiles, wild boars, and mongooses, may steal and consume their eggs.

Is there a better option than COBRA?

Marketplace insurance, available through the Affordable Care Act, often offers more affordable premiums than COBRA. The cost difference can vary based on the chosen plan, location, and income, as subsidies may reduce premiums for marketplace plans.

What is the average COBRA payment?

You should expect COBRA insurance costs to be substantially higher than what you paid as an employee because your employer is no longer required to pay a share. In 2023, employees paid an average of $145 per month for an individual plan and $548 per month for a family plan, according to KFF.

What are the disadvantages of COBRA coverage?

COBRA cons
  • COBRA can be expensive, especially compared to the premiums you were paying before your qualifying event. ...
  • COBRA does not apply to all employer-sponsored health plans—in particular, those organizations with fewer than 20 employees may have no requirements. ...
  • Even if you get an extension, COBRA is only temporary.

Can I negotiate COBRA premiums?

Your employer may subsidize COBRA, either pursuant to a company-wide plan or an individual severance agreement that you negotiate.

Does COBRA coverage begin immediately?

Assuming one pays all required premiums, COBRA coverage starts on the date of the qualifying event, and the length of the period of COBRA coverage will depend on the type of qualifying event which caused the qualified beneficiary to lose group health plan coverage.

Why are COBRA rates so high?

For some people, the cost of COBRA is just too expensive. The high cost of COBRA is often because your employer is the one who is responsible for covering most of the monthly premiums when you have job-based insurance. This makes coverage fairly affordable for most active employees and their families.