Know the Facts About Cobra Insurance Extension

February 6, 2010 | Posted by Tim F Dalton

Are you one of the many Americans who have been laid off in recent months? Are you concerned about no longer having health insurance benefits for you and your family in addition to the loss of income? If so, you will want to know more about the COBRA Insurance plan provided by the federal government.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you don’t need health insurance. If your health insurance lapses, you may have a problem covering yourself and your family when you do get a new job. It is also not a good idea to ‘play the odds’ and hope that you will not need medical coverage; it is impossible to predict when accidents or illness may occur.

Qualifying for COBRA

The COBRA benefit provides a supplemental insurance policy that bridges the gap in coverage between employment. The individual’s most recent employer is the provider of the plan. You can receive this benefit if you have been terminated for any reason other than gross misconduct, laid off, or have had your hours reduced to part-time status which disqualified you from receiving health insurance. The coverage also applies to your family members who were previously included in the policy.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes a Cobra Extension that extends benefits to those former employees who were laid off or terminated between September 2008 and February 2009. If you still do not have health insurance due to an employment separation that occurred between that period of time, you can now elect to receive COBRA benefits.

The Cost of COBRA Insurance Extension

Be aware that after separation from your employer, you will have to pay the entire health insurance premium out of your own pocket. However, there is some good news. For one, the cost is often less expensive than acquiring an individual insurance plan. The second piece of good news is that the federal government offers a subsidy to those who cannot afford the premium, up to 65%.

What to Do When You Lose Your Job

The responsibility of reporting a layoff or termination is up to the employer. They have 14 days to do so. Eligibility for COBRA insurance extension is determined by a number of factors including the size of the employer, the circumstances of separation, and many other rules and regulations. It may be helpful to use the services of a consultation company to help you sort through the details.

You should also be aware that there are time limits in place. There is a 60-day period in which the separated employee can decide whether or not to receive continued health insurance coverage. After that, you will have 45 days to pay the initial premium.

In addition to federal regulations, each health insurance provider will have its own rules and requirements regarding how claims are filed. They also have the option of ruling you ineligible for plan benefits. If you are denied COBRA benefits, you have the option of protesting this assessment within 60 days. Of course dealing with an insurance company is never uncomplicated so this may be another instance when assistance is required

There are many rules, regulations, and stipulations that apply to COBRA insurance extension benefits but there are also resources available to make the process easier. Look into the options today and don’t be left without health insurance.

Learn more about Cobra Extension. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Cobra Insurance Plan and what it can do for you.

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