Know the Law!

Federal and state laws that affect health insurance coverage:

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) A federal law that can help you keep your group health insurance. By law, all employers with 20 or more employees must offer COBRA.

This type of coverage allows you to extend your group health insurance when you:

• Change jobs
• Get through a divorce
• When your Child turns 18 years old
• other life events.

COBRA coverage can last up to three years depending on why you extend your coverage. For example, it helps a person keep health insurance for 29 months after approval and while waiting for Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare to start. This law helps you keep your insurance during these life events, but you will have to payall the premiums. Your doctor can tell you when COBRA will or will not help you and how long you can be covered.

COBRA can help keep your children covered when your health insurance no longer covers your child for up to three years until their own health insurance starts when they turn 18 years old or are no longer in school full time. Most states have laws that require health insurance to continue coverage for children who turn 18 years old if they are unable to support themselves because of a physical or mental condition. This continued coverage lasts until they are able to support themselves. You will have to pay the premiums. You can request a Continuation of Coverage form from your health insurance company. Your doctor can help to fill out this form. Some children cannot support themselves when they turn 18. It may be better to get insurance through a state program. Your doctor can help you find out about your state’s programs.

More info on COBRA: Quote | COBRA | COBRA Alternatives | Healthy Access Database