How to Keep Your Health Insurance After Losing Eligibility Due to Reduced Hours
Does COBRA allow me to keep my health plan if my work hours are reduced?
You qualify for COBRA if your work hours are reduced and you lose your health benefits.
COBRA lets you continue your employer-sponsored health insurance even if your work hours are cut and you no longer qualify for the group health plan. Under the federal COBRA continuation laws, employers with 20 or more employees must offer you the option to keep the same health plan temporarily after a reduction in hours.
You Can Keep Your Health Coverage After Losing It Due to Reduced Work Hours
If your work hours are reduced and you lose your health insurance, the law requires your employer to offer COBRA continuation coverage. To keep the same health plan, contact your employer’s Human Resources department. They can help you enroll in COBRA or connect you with their COBRA administrator to guide you through the process.
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How Do You Get COBRA After Losing Health Insurance Due to Reduced Work Hours?
You can obtain COBRA coverage from your employer if your health insurance was lost because your work hours were reduced. Here are the two steps for starting COBRA continuation after this qualifying event:
- The employer has up to 45 days to send COBRA election paperwork. This packet will include the cost of the COBRA plan, instructions on how to enroll, and where to send your premium payments.
- The law gives you a 60-day enrollment window to decide whether to continue your current health plan or waive COBRA coverage.
When Does COBRA Coverage Begin?
COBRA coverage starts as soon as you pay your first premium. It is applied retroactively to cover the time from when your previous health insurance ended. If you had any out-of-pocket costs during this gap, you might submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursement.
How Long Does COBRA Coverage Last After Losing Health Insurance Due to Reduced Work Hours?
Up to 18 Months
If your work hours are reduced and you lose eligibility for your employer’s health insurance, you have the right to continue the same coverage through COBRA for up to 18 months. This benefit is managed by your employer’s Human Resources department or their COBRA administrator.
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Workplace Qualifying Events
There are four types of workplace qualifying events that make you eligible for COBRA insurance:
- Voluntary Termination or Quitting Your Job: If you resign, whether to take time off or start a new job, COBRA can provide temporary coverage until your new health plan begins.
- Involuntary Termination, Layoff, or Being Fired: If your employer ends your employment (except in cases of gross misconduct), you may be eligible to extend your coverage through COBRA.
- Reduction of Hours: If your work hours are reduced to the point where you no longer qualify for the employer’s group health plan, COBRA allows you to continue your coverage temporarily.
- Retirement: If you retire before qualifying for Medicare, COBRA can serve as a bridge to ensure uninterrupted health coverage.
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