COBRA – Continuation of Group Health Coverage
Regular full-time employees and eligible dependents covered by the State & School Employees’ Health Insurance Plan have the right to continue group health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Public Law 99-272, Title X (COBRA) guidelines.
Employee: This generally includes faculty and staff employees who are working on paid appointments by the University. It generally excludes students or temporary employees. For specific information on who is considered an employee, contact the Human Resources Department.
Supervisor: An employee designated by management who exercises major supervisory functions over another employee or employees. These functions include hiring, evaluating, assigning work, and disciplining employees.
PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES
Regular full-time employees and eligible dependents covered by the State & School Employees’ Health Insurance Plan have the right to continue group health insurance coverage upon termination of employment unless the termination is for gross misconduct. Coverage may also be continued if employees’ work hours are reduced and coverage is thereby canceled. Coverage may be continued by the spouse or dependent(s) in the event of employees’ death, divorce or separation. A dependent child may also continue coverage when the dependent no longer meets the group plan’s definition of a dependent child. The cost of coverage is paid by employees or qualified dependent(s).
The length of continuation coverage varies dependent upon the circumstances under which coverage ceased. It is the employees’ responsibility to notify the Human Resources Department within 60 days of a divorce, legal separation, or a child losing dependent status. It is the responsibility of the Human Resources Department to notify employees and/or dependent(s) of the right to continuation coverage. Continuation coverage must be elected within 60 days of the date coverage ends.
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Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (Public Law 99-272, Title X)
