Utah COBRA Continuation Coverage
COBRA is a federal law that contains important provisions giving certain former employees, retirees, spouses and dependent children who would otherwise lose their health benefits the right to temporarily extend their healthcare coverage at group rates. Before the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) was passed in 1986, group healthcare was only available to full-time employees and their families, but with COBRA continuation coverage, terminated employees or those who lose their health benefits because of reduced hours at work or another qualifying event may be able to extend their group health plan for a limited period of time. If you and your family have lost your healthcare coverage in Utah, and you believe you may be entitled to COBRA continuation coverage, contact a knowledgeable Utah COBRA insurance lawyer today to discuss your rights.
What is COBRA?
The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a law that allows retiring employees, or those who lose their healthcare coverage due to quitting a job or reduced hours at work, to continue their employer-sponsored health plan for a limited period of time. COBRA continuation coverage may also be available to dependents who lose their health benefits due to a specific qualifying event, i.e. death of the covered employee, divorce or legal separation, the covered employee qualifying for Medicare, or a loss of dependent status under the provisions of the health insurance plan. The federal COBRA law only applies to employers in Utah with 20 or more employees, and allows for a continuation of healthcare coverage for a maximum of 18 to 36 months.
Utah State Continuation Coverage
If you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees, and you are at risk of losing your healthcare coverage due to job loss or another qualifying event, you are not entitled to a continuation of your group health plan under the federal COBRA law. However, you may still be able to temporarily extend your health benefits under Utah’s state continuation law, which applies to small businesses and allows for up to six months of continuation coverage through your previous employer. If you choose to extend your healthcare coverage under Utah’s state continuation law, your employer may charge you the entire premium plus an administration fee, which is set by the state.
Contact a Knowledgeable Utah COBRA Lawyer Today
Health insurance plans allow workers and their loved ones to take care of essential medical needs, and a loss of healthcare coverage due to employment termination or a reduction in hours of work can be devastating, especially if the worker is unable to obtain health insurance from another source right away. If you lost your job in Utah, or if your hours at work were reduced, and your family’s healthcare coverage has been terminated as a result, consult an experienced COBRA continuation coverage lawyer as soon as possible for legal help. With a qualified attorney on your side, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and pursue the healthcare coverage you and your loved ones are entitled to.
