Oregon COBRA Continuation Coverage
COBRA continuation coverage gives certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses and dependent children who would otherwise lose their health benefits due to certain specific events, the right to extend their healthcare coverage for a limited period of time, at group rates. If you and your loved ones lost your health benefits in Oregon, and you believe you may qualify for a temporary continuation of your health plan under federal or state COBRA laws, contact a knowledgeable Oregon COBRA continuation coverage attorney today for legal help. With the help of a qualified lawyer who is familiar with both federal and state COBRA laws, you can ensure that your rights are protected while you pursue the extended healthcare coverage you and your family are entitled to.
What is COBRA?
The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows employees with group health plans, and certain members of their family, to extend their healthcare benefits for a limited period of time, in circumstances where they would otherwise lose their coverage. Under federal COBRA laws, “qualifying events” for a temporary continuation of healthcare coverage may include: job loss, reduced work hours, death of the covered employee, divorce or legal separation from the covered employee, the covered employee qualifying for Medicare, or a loss of dependent status under the health plan’s provisions. COBRA’s protections are only intended as a temporary solution until insurance is obtained from another source, and an employee who loses his employer-sponsored health benefits may only extend his coverage for between 18 and 36 months, depending on the type of qualifying event.
Oregon COBRA Continuation Law
Federal COBRA law only applies to employers with 20 or more employees. However, in Oregon, employees who work for businesses with between two and 19 employees may fall under the state continuation law, which offers a similar continuation of health benefits for employees who leave their group health plan for what is considered a “qualifying event.” According to state continuation laws, employees in Oregon who have been covered under a group health insurance plan for at least three months, and were covered on the day before the qualifying event occurred, may qualify for Oregon’s “mini-COBRA” continuation coverage. Oregon’s mini-COBRA law only applies to employers in the state who are not required to make continuation coverage available under federal COBRA, and the healthcare coverage may only be extended for a maximum of six months.
A Skilled Oregon COBRA Insurance Attorney Can Help
Group health insurance coverage for COBRA participants is typically more expensive than health benefits for active employees, since COBRA participants are responsible for paying the entire premium themselves. However, COBRA continuation coverage typically costs less than an individual health plan. If you live in Oregon, and you lost your health benefits due to a reduction in work hours, death of the covered employee, or another qualifying event, you may be entitled to a temporary continuation of healthcare coverage under federal COBRA or Oregon’s continuation law. Even if you don’t meet the requirements for federal COBRA insurance, you may still qualify for COBRA continuation coverage under state law. Consult an experienced Oregon COBRA insurance lawyer today to discuss your rights.
