COBRA

If you have a qualifying life event that causes you or a dependent to lose University health care coverage (including the loss of your job), you may be able to continue your coverage for a period of time under COBRA.

COBRA allows you to continue the same medical, dental, and/or vision coverage you had as an active employee, but at full cost (see “Cost of Coverage”). You may also continue your Healthcare Flexible Spending Account.

Generally, while on COBRA you’ll pay the full cost of health care coverage (both your contribution and the university’s contribution) and a 2% administrative fee. UMR will provide the current rates at the time of your enrollment.

The length of time you can continue your coverage depends on the qualifying life event. You are eligible for up to 18 months of COBRA coverage if:

• You chose to terminate or are terminated from university employment
• Your working hours are reduced to the point where you lose eligibility for university benefits

You are eligible for up to 36 months of COBRA coverage if:

• You are an eligible dependent of a university employee who dies while employed
• You are the divorced or legally separated spouse of a university employee
• You are a child of a university employee who loses eligibility for dependent coverage due to age or loss of dependent status

COBRA coverage is terminated if:

• You or a dependent later becomes covered by another group health plan
• You enroll in Medicare after you elect COBRA

Second Qualifying Event

If your dependents experience a second qualifying event while receiving 18 months of COBRA continuation coverage, they may be eligible to receive up to 18 additional months of COBRA (for a total of 36 months).

Disability

If you or your dependent becomes disabled before you begin COBRA or within the first 60 days, you or your dependent may be able to continue coverage for an additional 11 months (for a total of 29 months). If you have an 11-month COBRA extension due to disability, you’ll pay an additional 50% fee.

COBRA coverage will stop if:

• You reach the end of your coverage continuation period
• You enroll in health coverage under another health plan, unless that plan includes a limitation or an exclusion for a pre-existing condition of yours or your dependent(s)
• You enroll in Medicare benefits
• The plan is terminated (or no longer provides health coverage) and the university does not sponsor any other employee group health plans
• You fail to make a required monthly premium payment
• The Social Security Administration determines, during the 11-month disability extension, that the covered person is no longer disabled

For more information about your COBRA coverage, refer to the Medical Summary Plan Description or contact your campus Human Resources office.