You may qualify to keep your health insurance if:
- you’ve lost your job,
- had your hours reduced,
- or experienced other qualifying events.
COBRA is a legal protection for workers and their families to temporarily keep their employer-provided health insurance.
COBRA health coverage benefits:
Same Doctors and Benefits
Generally, your COBRA coverage will be the same as when you were an employee. This is helpful if you would like to see your same doctors and have the same health plan benefits.
Coverage for Dependents
Your dependents (i.e., spouse, former spouse or children) are eligible for COBRA coverage, even if you (the former employee) do not get it for yourself.
Avoid a Gap in Health Insurance
COBRA can help between losing job-based coverage and beginning other health coverage.
60 days to Enroll
You have 60 days to enroll in COBRA once your employer-sponsored benefits end. Even if your enrollment is delayed, you will be covered by COBRA starting the day your prior coverage ended. You will receive a notice from your employer with information about deadlines for enrollment.
Option
If you have COBRA health coverage, you can keep it or decide to buy a Marketplace insurance plan. Click here for more information about Marketplace insurance (Obama Care).
Click below to learn more about COBRA from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Last Reviewed: June 8, 2023