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Two Different Illinois Health Insurance Continuation Laws for Retired Seniors

Two Different Laws

As you make plans for your own retirement, you should ask your employer if you are eligible for health insurance continuation under COBRA (federal legislation), or under Public Act 86-1444 (Illinois legislation), or under both. Understand that these two laws were written at different times, by different governmental bodies:

• COBRA is federal legislation covering health insurance continuation. It applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
• Public Act 86-1444 is Illinois legislation covering health insurance continuation and applies to most, but not all, IMRF employers who provide group health insurance for active employees.

One law is not designed to make up for the deficiencies of the other. Neither of these laws require your employer to pay any portion of the cost of your health insurance. Although your cost may be identical under both options, a major difference between them exists: the length of time coverage is provided. You must choose at retirement which law you will be covered by. Once the time to make your choice is past, you cannot change your mind.