Extending COBRA Health Insurance Coverage Due to Disability or Other Events

Part 4, Chapter 12: Specialized Situations: Extending Coverage through COBRA, the Portability Act, and Conversion Options Page 3

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If the employee has a disability, it may be possible to in crease that extension by an additional 11 months, for a total of 29 months. However, the individual's disability must generally meet the definition set by the Social Security Act in order to qualify for the additional extension. In addition, the premium may increase significantly during the extension period, up to a maximum of 150% of the cost of the health insurance itself. In some cases, the 11 month extension may end immediately if the person becomes eligible for Medicare.

If the qualifying event is a divorce or the death of the employee, eligible dependents may be entitled to a continuation of health insurance benefits under COBRA for up to 36 months. If the qualifying event is the loss of health insurance for a child because the child has reached the age at which he is no longer eligible for such insurance as a dependent under his parents' policy, he may also be entitled to a continuation of health insurance benefits under COBRA for up to 36 months.

The procedure for continuing health insurance benefits under COBRA is fairly simple. A form that allows for a continuation of health insurance should be sent out automatically by the insurer or the employer when a qualifying event occurs. Generally, all the consumer needs to do at that point is to fill out the form, write out a check, and send it to the address printed on the form.

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