TOOL KIT FOR THE UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED

Find out if you are covered under COBRA.

Under a federal law called COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), employers (with at least 20 employees) must offer former employees, retirees, spouses, widowed spouses, separated or divorced spouses of current employees, and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. This coverage, however, is only available in specific instances and is expensive. Group health coverage for COBRA participants is usually more expensive than health coverage for active employees, since usually the employer formerly paid a part of the premium. But it is still ordinarily less expensive than similar individual health coverage. This coverage could last for up to 18 months after an employee leaves the job. If the employee or retired employee has died, or has legally separated from or divorced the spouse, or for a few other reasons, the coverage may be continued up to 36 months. For more information on eligibility and rights under the COBRA act, visit www.cobrainsurance.com.