Being Ineligible for COBRA Health Insurance Coverage

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

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If you wish to continue health insurance benefits under COBRA, and you have not received a form, you can obtain one from your employer's benefits office. Canceling a COBRA extension is just as simple: Whenever a check is not submitted coverage automatically ends.

However, there are some circumstances in which COBRA regulations may not apply, or may not be helpful. For example, if you work for a company that has fewer than 20 employees, you and/or your dependents may not be eligible to continue your health insurance benefits under COBRA, even if you might otherwise have qualified for a continuation of such benefits.

In addition, specialized rules apply in situations in which health insurance is provided through an HMO. HMOs are generally centered in a particular geographic area, and coverage may be provided only for emergency services outside of that area. Thus, if you lose your job and move to another area of the country, you may not be eligible to continue your HMO coverage under COBRA.

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