The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
COBRA requires continuation coverage to be offered to covered employees, their spouses, their former spouses, and their dependent children when group health coverage would otherwise be lost due to certain specific events. Those events include the death of a covered employee, termination, or reduction in the hours of a covered employee's employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, divorce or legal separation from a covered employee, a covered employee becoming eligible for Medicare, and a child's loss of dependent status (and therefore coverage) under the plan.
Who is entitled to continuation coverage?
- Covered Employee who is (or was) covered under Colorado Mesa University's group medical, dental and/or flex plan at the time of the qualifying event.
- Qualified Beneficiaries: Employee's legal spouse and/or dependent children provided each is (or was) insured under the plan on the day before the qualifying event occurred.
Qualifying events and continuation of coverage
| Qualifying event | Qualified beneficiaries | Maximum period of continuation coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Covered employee's termination (for reason other than gross misconduct) or reduction in hours of employment |
Employee Spouse Dependent Child(ren) |
18 months |
| Employee enrollment in Medicare |
Spouse Dependent Child(ren) |
36 months |
| Divorce or legal separation |
Spouse Dependent Child(ren) |
36 months |
| Death of covered employee |
Spouse Dependent Child(ren) |
36 months |
| Loss of "dependent child" status under the plan |
Dependent Child |
36 months |
Employee's responsibilities
If you enroll in medical, dental or the flex plan you will receive a COBRA Initial Rights Notification mailed to your home address. This notification outlines your responsibilities if you experience a COBRA qualifying event that results in loss of insurance coverage. Please be sure to keep this notification for your files.
Questions
For detailed information or questions about your right under COBRA, please contact Shannon Pumphrey in the Human Resources office at 970.248.1093.
You may also refer to: Health Plans & Benefits: Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA (a U.S. Department of Labor Publication).