Who is eligible for a Cal-COBRA extension?
Asked by: Dr. Fernando Fadel PhD | Last update: September 3, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (21 votes)
What qualifies for COBRA extension?
COBRA allows extended coverage for qualified beneficiaries who experience second qualifying events within the 18-month continuation period. Approval for Social Security disability (29 months). Death of the former employee. Divorce from former employee.
Who is eligible for Cal-COBRA in California?
Cal-COBRA applies to employers and group health plans that cover from two to 19 employees. (Note that Cal-COBRA also applies to employers with more than 20 employees when an employee has exhausted his or her 18 months of federal COBRA benefits.)
Can an employer extend COBRA beyond 18 months?
The maximum amount of time an employee can continue on COBRA is 18 months. However, a qualified dependent may be able to obtain another 18 months for a total of 36 months if a second qualifying event should occur.
How long can you stay on Cal-COBRA?
If you get COBRA, you must pay for the entire premium, including any portion that your employer may have paid in the past. This means your payment is often more expensive than what you paid as an employee. You can collect COBRA benefits for up to 18 months. This may be extended to 36 months under certain circumstances.
COBRA Insurance | What You Need to Know
Can you extend COBRA coverage in California?
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 60 day loophole for cobras?
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 do you keep a COBRA for 36 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 ...
What is the difference between Cal-COBRA and federal COBRA?
When Federal COBRA ends, eligible employees can buy 18 months additional health coverage under Cal-COBRA. All qualified beneficiaries are generally eligible for continuation coverage for 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary's benefits would otherwise have terminated.
How long can a former employee stay on COBRA?
COBRA insurance typically lasts 18 months for employees, up to 36 months for dependents, and can be extended to 29 months for those with a qualifying disability.
Which one of the following is not eligible for Cal-COBRA?
Eligibility for Cal-COBRA extends to church plans, indemnity policies, PPOs, and HMOs only but self-insured plans are not eligible.
How do you determine COBRA eligibility?
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.
Who is eligible for Cal COBRA?
Continuing Coverage with COBRA and Cal COBRA
Cal-COBRA is a California law that applies to employers with 2 to 19 employees, and employers with more than 20 employees, who have exhausted their federal COBRA.
How long is COBRA disability extension?
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.
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 ...
Can COBRA be extended beyond 18 months?
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.
Who sends Cal-COBRA notice?
When employees or dependents experience a qualifying event, employers must provide an election notice within 14 days of the notice of the qualifying event, notifying them of their eligibility to enroll in Cal-COBRA coverage, the terms and amount of the premium payment, and the beginning and ending dates of coverage.
What is the California common COBRA?
California common cobra (Naja westilii) - Descended from Egyptian, Arabian, and Indian cobras that escaped from zoos and/or safari parks and hybridized with each other, forming a new species found only in California. They are similar to their ancestors.
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 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 are the continuation rights for Cal-COBRA?
Individuals who are employed by California employers at the time they become eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and whose COBRA coverage would otherwise end in 18 months may, under Cal-COBRA, continue their coverage with the same group carrier or HMO for up to a total of 36 months.
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.
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.
How long can you stay on COBRA if you retire?
Your mom would be eligible for COBRA continuation when she retires. Retirement is a qualifying event. When a qualified beneficiary retires from their job, the retired worker is entitled for up to 18 months of health insurance continuation, which is the maximum amount of time an employee can keep COBRA coverage.