What is COBRA?
COBRA
stands for "Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act." Basically, it means that some families can
keep their workplace coverage even after the family
member is no longer at that workplace. It is the same
coverage the worker had while at the workplace, but
the cost is higher. Skip
to, Help paying for COBRA or "mini-COBRA".
Who can get COBRA?
You
may be able to get COBRA coverage if you are losing
health insurance that comes from a workplace with 20
or more employees. This
includes:
- Workers
and covered child(ren) and spouse losing their coverage
because they leave their job;
- Workers
and covered child(ren) and spouse who lose their job
for reasons other than "gross misconduct"
on their part;
- People
losing coverage through their spouse's workplace because
of a divorce, legal separation or death;
- A
child losing coverage through their parent's workplace
because they became too old to qualify as a dependents;
- People
losing work-based coverage because they become eligible
for Medicare.
How long does COBRA
last?
COBRA
usually lasts up to 18 months, but it can last up to
36 months for people in situations like number
3, 4, and 5, above.
What is "mini-COBRA"?
"Mini-COBRA"
is sometimes called "Continuation."
It is the same coverage the worker had while at the
workplace, but the cost is higher. Skip
to, Help paying for COBRA or "mini-COBRA".
Who can get "mini-COBRA"?
Basically,
if you had work-based coverage with an employer who
has LESS than 20 employees, you can't get regular COBRA.
But you might be able to get "mini-COBRA,"
which will also continue your work-based coverage if
you are ending your job because of a temporary layoff,
or a Workers Compensation injury.
How long does "mini-COBRA"
last?
Up
to 12 months.
Links to more information
What
Can I do If I Lose My Group Health Insurance?
Maine Bureau of Insurance
Continuation
of Health Coverage, COBRA
US Department of Labor
Fact
Sheet on Help Paying for COBRA and "mini-COBRA"
US Department of Labor
Online
Health Care Guide