Idaho COBRA Continuation Coverage
Employees in Idaho and certain members of their family whose eligibility for group insurance coverage ends due to a specified qualifying event, such as job loss or death of the covered employee, may qualify for a temporary continuation of their healthcare coverage at group rates, under a federal law known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). If you believe you, your spouse or your dependent child may be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage in Idaho, contact a knowledgeable COBRA insurance lawyer today to discuss your legal options. With an experienced attorney on your side, you can ensure that your rights are protected and pursue the healthcare coverage you and your loved ones are entitled to.
What is COBRA Coverage?
Before the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act was passed, employees who had their hours at work reduced, or were fired or laid off immediately lost their health benefits, which left them without coverage until they were able to secure insurance from another source. Under the federal COBRA law, however, employees, their spouses and dependent children may be eligible for a temporary continuation of healthcare coverage if their group health insurance eligibility ends due to one or more of the following qualifying events:
- Covered employee’s termination or reduction in work hours
- Divorce or legal separation from the covered employee
- Death of the covered employee
- Covered employee qualifies for Medicare
- Loss of dependent child status under the health plan’s provisions
COBRA only allows for a temporary extension of employer-sponsored healthcare coverage, with a maximum duration of 36 months from the date the active plan ends, although the employee’s termination or reduction in work hours only qualifies for an 18-month continuation period. If another qualifying event takes place during this 18-month period that would entitle a dependent to a longer period of continuation coverage, the duration of the coverage may be extended. It is important to note that the federal COBRA law only applies to employers with 20 or more employees, and, while some states offer “mini-COBRA” continuation programs that apply to employers with fewer than 20 employees, Idaho currently does not offer any additional COBRA insurance benefits outside of those provided under the federal COBRA law.
Contact an Experienced Idaho COBRA Insurance Lawyer Today
For many families in Idaho, health insurance provides them with access to the medical care they need to stay healthy and treat any serious illnesses or injuries, and under the federal COBRA law, these families may qualify for a temporary extension of their group health plan in certain circumstances where their healthcare coverage would otherwise be terminated. If you work in Idaho, and you lost your healthcare coverage due to job loss, a reduction in work hours, or another qualifying event, you may be able to temporarily extend your employer-sponsored health plan at group rates for a limited period of time, until you are able to secure insurance from another source, such as private health insurance or a group health plan at a new job. Consult a reputable Idaho COBRA insurance lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your eligibility for COBRA continuation coverage in Idaho.
