Real answers for your healthcare questions
What is COBRA health insurance and how does it work?
Answer
COBRA is a federal continuation coverage law that can let employees and family members temporarily keep the same group health plan after certain events such as job loss or a reduction in work hours. It generally applies to qualifying employer plans with at least 20 employees.
What to Know
COBRA usually keeps the same benefits, network, and plan rules you had as an active employee. The major difference is cost. You may have to pay the full premium that you and the employer previously shared, plus a small administrative amount.
What to Do Next
When you receive a COBRA election notice, compare COBRA with Marketplace coverage, a spouse's employer plan, Medicaid, and other options. Pay attention to enrollment deadlines because losing job based coverage can open other limited enrollment windows.
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