U.S.

Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Health Plans & Benefits - Continuation of Health Coverage COBRA
U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Health Plans & Benefits - Continuation of Health Coverage COBRA Health Plans & Benefits SubtopicsChild Care AssistanceComplianceAssistanceConsumer Information onHealth PlansContinuation of Health Coverage(COBRA)Employee Retirement Income SecurityAct (ERISA)FiduciaryResponsibilitiesHealth Benefits EducationMentalHealth BenefitsNewborns' & Mothers'Protections (Newborns' Act)ParticipantRightsPlanInformationPortability of Health Coverage(HIPAA)Womens' Health & Cancer RightsProtections Continuation of Health Coverage? COBRADOL Web Pages on This Topic The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act(COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits theright to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their grouphealth plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such asvoluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transitionbetween jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals maybe required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102 percent of thecost to the plan. COBRA generally requires that group health planssponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year offeremployees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension ofhealth coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances wherecoverage under the plan would otherwise end. COBRA outlines how employees and family members mayelect continuation coverage. It also requires employers and plans to providenotice. DOL Web Pages on This Topic COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009 (ARRA) Provides information and guidance for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under the ARRA. Frequently AskedQuestions: COBRA Continuation Health Coverage Provides answers tocommonly asked questions about COBRA. Health Benefits Under theConsolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) (PDF) Provides adetailed overview of the major provisions of COBRA.

Consumer Information onHealth Plans Provides fact sheets, booklets, and other health planinformation from the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration(EBSA). ComplianceAssistance Provides publications and other materials to assist employersand employee benefit plan practitioners in understanding and complying with therequirements of ERISA as it applies to the administration of employee pensionand welfare benefit plans. Portability ofHealth Coverage (HIPAA) Frequently Asked Questions Provides answers toquestions including "what is HIPAA?" and "how does crediting for prior coveragework under HIPAA?"

Your Employer'sBankruptcy: How Will it Affect Your Employee Benefits? Providesinformation on bankruptcy?s effect on pension and group health plans. Your Health Plan and HIPAA ... Making the Law Work for You Provides information about major provisions of theHealth Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Newborns' and Mothers'Health Protection Act, the Mental Health Parity Act, and the Women's Health andCancer Rights Act. Retirement and HealthCare Coverage...Questions and Answers for Dislocated Workers Providesanswers to common questions asked by dislocated workers about their pension andhealth benefits. Top 10 Ways toMake Your Health Benefits Work for You (Espa?ol) Provides information tohelp you make informed decisions about health plans. Work ChangesRequire Health Choices (Espa?ol) Provides information on protecting your health care rights when your worklife changes. Life ChangesRequire Health Choices (Espa?ol)

Provides guidance on making health benefit decisions following key lifeevents such as marriage or the birth or adoption of a child. Frequently Asked Questionsfor Participants & Beneficiaries Related to the Events of September11th Provides answers to the most frequently asked questions by workersand their families whose pension and/or health plan benefits have been impactedby the events of September 11, 2001. Frequently Asked Questionsfor Reservists Being Called to Active Duty Related to their Pension and HealthBenefits Provides answers to the most frequently asked questions aboutpension and health benefits by National Guard and reserve members being calledto active duty as a result of the events of September 11, 2001.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm