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COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102 percent of the cost to the plan.

COBRA generally requires that group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end.

COBRA outlines how employees and family members may elect continuation coverage. It also requires employers and plans to provide notice.

COBRA compliance questions? Contact Roger Hicks and Associates for expert advice at info@callhicks.com.

For a wealth of information, click on the Department of Labor’s website: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm for questions relating to pre-existing conditions, health insurance portability, and consumer frequently asked questions.

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