In Accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), an employee and his or her dependents are entitled to elect to remain in the employer group health plan after it would normally end without proof of insurance status. There will be no employer contributions for this extended coverage. The duration of coverage is as follows:
- Covered dependents who are terminated from the health plan because of divorce or death of the employee or Medicare - 36 months;
- Covered dependent children who would loose coverage because of their ineligibility - 36 months;
- Loss of coverage through:
- Reduction in hours - 18 months
- Termination (other than for gross misconduct) - 18 months
- Lay-off for economic reasons - 18 months
- Voluntary resignation - 18 months
Employees and covered dependents who have been determined to be disabled under the Social Security Act may continue coverage for 29 months. The disability must exist prior to the date of the qualifying event and the member must provide notice of the disability determination to the employer within 18 months and no later than 60 days after the date of the Social Security Administration's determination.