How Long Is My Continuation Period?
How long you may continue coverage under your former employer’s medical coverage is called a continuation period and this period will differ based on the qualifying event and your own specific scenario. The continuation period starts with the qualifying event and not the date COBRA is elected.
If you lose your coverage because of termination, retirement, layoff, strike, or reduction in hours, the maximum continuation period is 18 months. If you were disabled before or within the first 60 days of COBRA coverage, then the period increases to 29 months.
If dependents lose coverage because of divorce, separation, death, loss of dependent status, or because of Medicare entitlement, the maximum continuation period is 36 months.
The continuation period may also end for an individual, before the original period of 18, 29, or 36 months if:
- The qualified person becomes covered by Medicare.
- The qualified person becomes covered by another group health plan that doesn’t contain a pre-existing condition limitation or exclusion, or where the pre-existing condition limitation doesn’t apply because there has been enough previous creditable coverage to satisfy the new plan’s limitation time period. In non-legal speak, the qualified person, who would otherwise be excluded, isn’t.
- Premium isn’t paid.
- The employers group health plan is terminated, but the continuation period can be completed under a different plan.
Ashley Elko said,
May 8, 2009 @ 8:43 am
We signed up for COBRA when my finacee lost his job. Although very pricey, we had no choice but to keep it due to his high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cholestoral which he needed medication for. I have now lost my job and we simply can not afford COBRA anymore. Is there anyway at all he will be able to obtain coverage through another insurance company if we are unable to make our payments to COBRA? Or is there a way we can opt out of COBRA?
UnderstandCOBRA said,
August 12, 2009 @ 1:00 am
You can try to find independent insurance and that is usually cheaper than COBRA, the only risk is that you may not get coverage if you have a pre-existing condition. You don’t lose anything by looking around.
Paul said,
October 28, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
You have indicated that the continuation period can change depending on . . . “1. The qualified person becomes covered by Medicare.” If I am “eligible” for Medicare but COBRA is better, can I choose COBRA? Or, do I have to elect Medicare?
Thanks, Paul