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Continuation of Benefits (COBRA)
Companies are required to provide COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconcilation Act of 1985) when employees are terminated or laid off. COBRA provides continuation of health coverage at group rates for former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses and dependent children.
The Department of Labor offers several helpful resources regarding COBRA:
- An Employers Guide to Group Health Continuation Coverage Under COBRA
This booklet summarizes COBRA continuation coverage and explains the rules that apply to group health plans. It is intended to assist employers that sponsor group health plans to comply with COBRA. - COBRA Continuation Health Coverage Frequently Asked Questions (In English)
Questions and answers that provide a general explanation of requirements under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for continuation of group health coverage that might otherwise be terminated. - An Employers' Guide to Group Health Continuation Coverage Under COBRA (In Spanish)
This booklet summarizes COBRA continuation coverage and explains the rules that apply to group health plans in Spanish. It is intended to assist employers that sponsor group health plans with COBRA.
The Department of Labor also offers helpfupl tools such as a Model Election Notice Of COBRA Continuation Coverage Rights to help employers provide qualified beneficiaries with an election notice that describes their rights to continuation coverage and how to make an election within 14 days of receiving a notice of a qualifying event. Also provided is a Model General Notice Of COBRA Continuation Coverage Rights for group health plans who must give each employee and each spouse covered under the plan a general notice describing COBRA rights within 90 days of coverage.
Both notices and the Employer's Guide are also available in Spanish
