COBRA Continuation Coverage

In compliance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the College offers eligible faculty and staff continuation of the medical benefits coverage. If an employee loses coverage due to termination or reduction in hours, the employee will be offered COBRA coverage for 18 months. An additional 11 months, for a total of 29 months, can be given to a qualified beneficiary who is determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration at the time of the qualifying event or if the qualified beneficiary becomes disabled during the first 60 days of COBRA coverage. If an enrolled dependent loses coverage due to death of the covered employee, divorce, or legal separation of the employee or a child reaches the age limit for the Plan, the dependent will be offered continuation coverage for 36 months.

It is the employee’s responsibility to notify the College of a divorce, legal separation, or a child reaching the age limit within 60 days of the later of the date of the event or the date on which coverage would be lost because of the event.

Individuals who elect to continue the medical benefits coverage will be required to pay 100% of the total premium plus an administration fee.

HealthSmart will send a notice to the home address on file when an employee is eligible for coverage. The employee may contact the Benefits Services Manager for additional information.

After the 18-month, 29-month, or 36-month period, medical benefits coverage will be terminated.