Information on Cobra

[ForMyBrother]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA

If I leave my current job for another job am I available to receive Cobra or is that insurance just for those who are fired? I have anthem along with Delta Dental (currently my daughters are scheduled for braces and the total cost I was given was with the insurance).

So I can't have a lapse in either my Anthem or my Delta Dental. If I am able to get the Cobra how long will I be covered?

[cbg]

COBRA is available to anyone who loses their employer sponsored group insurance for any reason. Doesn't matter if you quit, are laid off for lack of work, or are fired for cause; if you are covered on the employer's group health policy, the employer has 20 or more employees, and you lose your coverage, you are eligible for COBRA.

However, if you quit, you are not eligible for the subsidy that was signed into law by President Obama. THAT is available only if you lose your job involuntarily. You will be responsible for the full cost.

COBRA lasts until the earliest of the following:

1.) 18 months
2.) The day you become eligible for other coverage
3.) The day you are more than 30 days late with a payment
4.) The day the entire policy is cancelled for active employees as well
5.) I think there's a fifth reason but I can't think what it is offhand

[ecmst12]

And just so you are not surprised by the bill, it will be very, very expensive.

[penelope10]

I just wanted to add that the cost of Cobra is roughly 102%. The 2% is charged as an administrative fee to pay for the cost of the company administering the set up of the Cora and handling of accounting.

[ajkroy]

I just want to expand on the excellent information you've already been given. COBRA is not another type of insurance -- it a law that provides for the continuation of the same insurance benefits you have while you are employed.

Many employers pay a portion of the employee's insurance premium as a benefit to the employee. For example, if your family plan with Anthem costs YOU $350 per month, it is entirely possible that the plan costs a total of $800 a month and your employer covers the remaining $450 per month as a benefit to you. In this scenario, you have the right to continue the entire $800 per month premium on your own. Of course, some plans are significantly more expensive than this.

Due to HIPAA legislation, you do not want to go more than two months without coverage, else you run the risk of your new insurer considering any already-diagnosed issues as pre-existing. Personally, I would never go without coverage for even a day.

Good luck.

[ForMyBrother]

Ok so if I may ask another question. I also have a secondary insurance through my husband. So does this mean I am able to drop my insurance (i.e. Anthem) and just remained covered under my husbands?

The reason why I ask is because I have Anthem and Delta Dental, but looking at a pay stub they are charged separately (I'm thinking they just used the same agency for Anthem and Delta Dental). Does anyone happen to know if I can get Cobra with the Delta Dental and not worry about the Anthem seeing that I do have coverage through my husband?

I hate asking so many questions and would be more than happy to ask my employer, but most likely I wouldn't have a job the next day

Also I wanted to thank everyone for the helpful information

[ecmst12]

You should be able to get cobra for the dental but not the medical. Since you are already covered on your husband's plan, all you will need to do when your coverage terminates is send them the proof (you will get a certificate confirming the date coverage ends in the mail along with your cobra information) and they will become primary, until such time as you get new coverage under your own employer.

[lkc15507]

Agree with all the above 100%. But, I am such a picky thing, for all others that may read the post, COBRA CAN be denied in some situations. (From what I read, doubt applies here.) Termination for Gross Insubordination can get COBRA denied.

[ecmst12]

As far as I know it's gross MISCONDUCT not insubordination. And my understanding is gross misconduct usually means you broke the LAW like stealing or something else equally serious. Not mouthing off to your boss.

[commentator]

Here, as elsewhere, "I hit him and left" is not a good answer. That gross misconduct could be vigorous insubordination, or any of few other lovely choices. Either way, it will keep you from taking out your COBRA.

[cbg]

For purposes of COBRA, there is no statutory definition. The definition I was taught to apply and which I have used here before was, unless you or someone else can prosecute, offer COBRA, but that's more of a CYA type thing than a statutory requirement. You can't get into trouble for offering COBRA when you needn't, but you can get in trouble for not offering it when you should. The final word on whether or not the employee was fired for gross misconduct belongs to the US DOL officer who catches the complaint by the employee who didn't get COBRA.