What is the time period for COBRA?
Asked by: Melyssa Wuckert | Last update: October 24, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (38 votes)
What is the time frame for COBRA?
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.
Is COBRA 18 months or 36 months?
In that case, COBRA lasts for eighteen months. If the qualifying event is the death of the covered employee, divorce or legal separation of the covered employee from the covered employee's spouse, or the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare, COBRA for the spouse or dependent child lasts for 36 months.
How long is COBRA after quitting 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 payment period for COBRA?
You have 45 days from the date of your COBRA election (either the date you elect online, the date you fax or email the Election Form, or the postmark date on the mailed envelope) to pay all premiums due from your COBRA start date through the current month.
COBRA Insurance | What You Need to Know
What is the 60 day loophole for 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 the notice period for COBRA?
90-Day Notice Period
The HR office must provide the Initial General COBRA Notice to covered individuals within 90 days of the coverage effective date. An exception to the 90 day rule is when a qualifying event occurs before the initial notice is provided to the employee.
Can I get COBRA if I get fired?
Cal-COBRA is a California Law that lets you keep your group health plan when your job ends or your hours are cut. It may also be available to people who have exhausted their Federal 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.
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.
Does COBRA automatically cancel after 18 months?
Second Qualifying Event - If you are receiving an 18-month maximum period of continuation coverage, you may become entitled to an 18-month extension (giving a total maximum period of 36 months of continuation coverage) if you experience a second qualifying event that is the death of a covered employee, the divorce or ...
How much does COBRA cost per month?
The average monthly cost of COBRA Insurance premiums ranges from $400 to $700 per individual.
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.
Who is not eligible for 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.
How do I calculate COBRA costs?
Using the information provided in Box 12 of your most recent W-2 form, labeled Code DD, you will find the total annual cost of your employer-sponsored health coverage. To determine your monthly COBRA premium, divide this annual amount by 12 and include any applicable administrative fees, which may be up to 2%.
How to end COBRA coverage?
To cancel your COBRA plan you will need to notify your previous employer or the plan administrator in writing, requesting to terminate the insurance.
How long can you use COBRA after leaving a job?
COBRA allows you to keep your employer-sponsored health insurance for up to 18 months if your coverage ends due to job loss, quitting or termination. Known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, this legislation applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
Why is my insurance still active after I quit my job?
COBRA. COBRA allows workers to maintain health insurance after leaving a job. Whether you quit or got laid off, you can still qualify for COBRA—though there may be exceptions if you were fired for gross misconduct, such as stealing, assault, harassment, or similar offenses.
Does COBRA coverage begin immediately?
COBRA is always retroactive to the day after your employer coverage ends. So, you'll need to pay your premiums for that period too.
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.
Can my employer deny me COBRA?
Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA. Gross misconduct is not specifically defined by COBRA, but when based on an employer's practice or policy it could include misrepresentation during the hiring process or falsifying information on a Form I-9.
Does health insurance end immediately after termination?
Employers aren't required to continue providing health insurance coverage after termination, so most workers lose coverage immediately or at the end of their last month of employment. However, most companies must allow you to stay on your plan through COBRA continuation coverage.
How do you keep a COBRA for 36 months?
You can stay on COBRA for 18 or 36 Months
COBRA coverage generally lasts 18 months for the employee. However, dependents on the plan, such as a spouse or children, can be eligible for up to 36 months of coverage under certain circumstances, like divorce or the death of the covered employee.
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.
How long does a COBRA take to process?
Coverage under COBRA will be retroactive from your last day of coverage as an active benefits participant. This reinstatement normally takes between 5 and 10 business days from when your first full month of COBRA payment is processed.