COBRA Maryland

[Trease]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

I was recently let go from my job, and I will need to contintue on COBRA.
I have already filled out the paperwork, and returned that.
How soon do I have to send the 1st payment ?
Thank you

 

[averad]

When you called customer service what did they say?

*Hint* How are we to know your Insurances processing times and requirements? *Hint*

 

[cbg]

Hint: They're in the COBRA statute.

You have 45 days from the day you made your COBRA election.

 

[averad]

Hint: They're in the COBRA statute.

You have 45 days from the day you made your COBRA election.

Doesn't the clock on that start when the application is received and processed? From what I have seen it can sometime take 2 weeks to process and then longer for the initial billing to be mailed.

 

[cbg]

No, the clock for the 45 days starts on the day of the election. The employer or COBRA adminstrator has no legal obligation to bill the COBRA participant. The information is provided in the inital COBRA letter; it is the responsibility of the participant to make payments on time. If you look at the DOL's FAQ's on the subject, you will see that it says they have 45 days after the election; not 45 days after the processing of the application.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

 

[averad]

Thanks CBG I appriciate the clarification.

 

[cbg]

Any time. COBRA can be confusing.

 

[averad]

My head is spinning from Med D and have been getting some information confused.

 

[cbg]

Med D is enough to confuse anyone all by itself.