COBRA

COBRA (Continuation of Coverage)

Are you leaving employment with the County of Riverside? Getting divorced? Is your child no longer eligible for benefits? These are a few of the reasons you may need to continue your health care coverage or other benefits.

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is a federally mandated program that allows you to continue your medical, dental and vision benefits based on the following qualifying events:

Termination of employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct), reduction in number of hours of employment which affects benefit eligibility, divorce or legal separation, employee's death (for eligible dependents), child ceases to be eligible for coverage under the plans

COBRA provides extended health benefits coverage after loss of coverage situations. We will send a COBRA election notification at the time of loss of coverage by an employee or dependent.

 

 

 

 

Eligibility

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) allows you or a dependent covered under medical, dental, vision, and/or health care Flexible Spending Accounts benefits to continue coverage when it is lost due to any of the following qualifying status changes:

• Termination of employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct)

• A reduction in the number of hours of employment that affects benefits eligibility

• Divorce or legal separation/termination of same-sex domestic partnership

• Employee’s death (for eligible dependents)

• Child ceases to be eligible for coverage

This is a brief overview of COBRA. For specific information please refer to Medical Specific Plan Details (SPD) at http://benefits.rc-hr.com/ for additional COBRA information.

Premiums

You pay the COBRA rate. The County of Riverside makes no contribution. For current plan rates, refer to the Cost of Coverage page.

Note: If you are eligible and enrolled in a medical plan sponsored by CalPERS (DDAA, LEMU and RSA Public Safety members), you'll find more information relevent to CalPERS specific plans and COBRA on the CalPERS website.

Coverage Period

 

Qualifying Event

Qualified Beneficiaries

Maximum Coverage Continuation Period

18 Months

• Employee’s termination

Employee’s reduction in hours or type of employment that effects benefits plan eligibility

• Employee

• All covered dependents

36 Months

• Employee’s divorce or legal separation/termination of same-sex domestic partnership

• Employee’s death

• Employee’s entitlement to Medicare benefits

 

• All covered dependents

36 Months

• Loss of eligibility for a dependent child who reaches the limiting age

 

 

• Eligible covered

dependent children

Termination of COBRA

COBRA coverage will cease on the last day of the month in which a Qualified Beneficiary:

• Reaches the maximum coverage period

• Fails to submit a premium payment

• Becomes eligible for Medicare