eInsurancePeople Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions > COBRA

COBRA

How is the premium handled through COBRA?

Will pre-existing condition exclusions apply to me when coming off of COBRA?

My COBRA plan is about to expire. Am I able to continue this plan under an Individual level?

Are my children able to enroll under my plan if coming off of a DU30/DU31 program through my COBRA plan?

How is the premium handled through COBRA?

The employer collects the premium and submits it to the insurance carrier.

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Will pre-existing condition exclusions apply to me when coming off of COBRA?

Pre-existing condition exclusions will not apply if a member who has been insured for 12 or more months enrolls under an Individual health plan within 31 days from their last date of coverage. If a member is coming off of a COBRA plan and has satisfied the full length of time allowed -- 18 months -- then the member has a 63 day break in coverage allowed for pre-existing conditions not to apply.

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My COBRA plan is about to expire. Am I able to continue this plan under an Individual level?

No. You must apply for individual coverage with the respective carrier. Use the eInsurancePeople.com quote page to obtain rates and enrollment information regarding these plans.

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Are my children able to enroll under my plan if coming off of a DU30/DU31 program through my COBRA plan?

No. Once a child reaches the maximum allowable age (30 in New York and Pensylvania, 31 in New Jersey), he/she can no longer be on your health plan.

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Where can I obtain further information?

For inquiries regarding Federal COBRA check the Department of Labor website: www.dol.gov .

For ARRA information http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html and http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205364,00.html

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/cobra.pdf

New rules under the 2010 Defense Act DOL: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/2009/ebsa122109.html

EBSA has posted an updated fact sheet regarding the extension at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fscobrapremiumreduction.html. and http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra/COBRAPremiumReductionProvisionExtension.html

ARRA-related questions may be directed to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via email to NewCobraRights@cms.hhs.gov.

The application to request that CMS review denials of premium assistance is now available for download in pdf format from www.continuationcoverage.net.
Please redirect all other questions to: continuationcoverage@maximus.com or call toll-free at (866) 400-6689. Staff members are available from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. EST.

For Appeal Rights, Procedures and Form:

http://www.continuationcoverage.net/

The application to request that CMS review denials of premium assistance is now available for download in pdf format from www.continuationcoverage.net.

Model Notices:

For notices under the 2010 DOD Act:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRAmodelnotice.html.
The original ARRA notices are here:

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRAmodelnotice.html

New Q&As as of 9-2-2009 can be found here http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=212637,00.html

Employer Form Preparation guidance: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205373,00.html

For New York COBRA, go to http://www.ins.state.ny.us/faqs/faqs_cobra.htm

For information on how NY COBRA works under The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, see

http://www.ins.state.ny.us/press/2009/p0903201.pdf

DOL Tollfree Hotline: 866-444-3272.