CONTACT INFORMATION

COBRA is a continuation of employer-sponsored health care benefits when coverage is lost. Federal law requires employers who employ 20 or more employees to offer COBRA coverage to employees (or former employees) and/or their dependents when employer-sponsored health care coverage is lost. If you and/or your dependents have lost employer-sponsored health care coverage, check with your employer about COBRA.

Generally, if the event causing loss of coverage is termination of employment or a reduction in hours, coverage is available for an additional 18 months. If the event causing loss of coverage was death of the employee, divorce, legal separation, Medicare entitlement or a dependent child ceasing to be a dependent, coverage is available for an additional 36 months.

If you elect COBRA coverage, you must pay the total monthly premium (employer and employee shares) plus an additional two percent administrative surcharge.

You or your dependents' COBRA coverage will end if:

• The employer terminates all health plans offered to active employees
• A person covered under the extended group coverage becomes covered under another group health plan due to re-employment, marriage or Medicare eligibility
• The covered person does not pay the premium, or
• The 18-month or 36-month time period is over.