COBRA - CONSOLIDATED OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT | UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Provides information on workers'/employers' rights and responsibilities under the federal law covering the continuation of health insurance for a minimum of 18 months following certain qualifying events (job loss, reduction in hours, etc) that cause an individual to lose eligibility for coverage. Continuation coverage is administered by the employer at group rates that are paid by the participant losing eligibility. Available to those working for US-based private employers of 20 or more employees. The Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) covers public sector programs. In Ohio, employers of fewer than 20 employees are covered under a state continuation program administered by the Department of Insurance. A modified version of the federal program, restricted to workers who had been laid off between September 1, 2008 and May 31, 2010, was made law on Feb. 17, 2009.
Categories
Data provided by
211 Cleveland
Physical Address
200 Constitution Ave. Nw, Washington, DC 20210
Hours
M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm, or 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week by web site.
Fax
(202) 219-8141
Voice
Website
Application process
Call M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm for general information. May also download or request information from web site. Employers offering group health coverage are required to provide information about this program to employees when they begin employment and when a qualifying event occurs that makes the employee, their spouse or dependents ineligible. Those experiencing a qualifying event that changes their status with employer-sponsored group health insurance will have a specified amount of time (usually about 60 days) to make a decision regarding their continued participation in the health plan once they receive notification of eligibility from the former employer. Information on compliance is available to employers.
Fee
Free for information. Continuation coverage does have a cost, individual to each employer and health plan.
Eligibility
Former employees who are qualified beneficiaries of group health plans through US-based, private employers with 20 or more employees. Employees separating from their employers for any reason and those reducing their work hours to a level where they are no longer eligible for participation in the business's group health insurance plan are also eligible. Coverage continuation may apply to former employees, retirees, spouses of employees, ex-spouses of employees, and dependent children.
Agency info
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Provides administrative oversight to a variety of departments and bureaus concerned with labor issues for the federal government. The agency mission is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, improve working conditions, and advance opportunities for profitable employment, preparing the American workforce for new and better jobs. Can also provide national labor statistics. Job Corps is a bureau of this agency but is listed separately.