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What is COBRA?
Congress enacted continuation
health care coverage requirements in Title X of the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
commonly referred to as "COBRA". The purpose of COBRA
is to protect certain former employees and their dependents
when they lose coverage under a group health plan.
For information about your
specific situation please contact the Insurance Benefits
Office at (805) 546-3161.
GENERAL COBRA INFORMATION
When a qualified beneficiary
experiences a qualifying event resulting in the loss of
group health care coverage, he or she may continue under the
same group plan for 18 to 36 months.
Who is a qualified
beneficiary?
An employee covered under a
group health plan; the employee's spouse or dependent who was
enrolled at the
time of the event.
What is a qualifying event?
- Termination of employment or
reduction of hours resulting in a loss of coverage for the
employee.
- For a spouse or dependent
child, qualifying events include: the employee's loss of
coverage as described above; a covered employee's death;
divorce or legal separation from the employee; the
employee's entitlement to Medicare; a child's loss of
dependent status.
What are NOT qualifying events?
- Termination for gross
misconduct
- Voluntary termination during
open enrollment
What does it cost?
- COBRA participants pay the
full price of the plan premium plus a 2% administrative fee
to the COBRA Administrating company. To estimate the
cost of COBRA coverage add 2% to
current rates for plan
premiums. The exact price will be shown when you are
offered COBRA continuation.
If you are terminated or resign
from the District you will be sent a notification covering
deadlines to elect continuation coverage and the price of that
coverage.
If your dependent is no
longer eligible due to divorce, or student status for a child,
you must contact the Insurance Benefits Office so that COBRA
can be offered. Failure to do so may result in a loss of
continuation benefits for the dependent.
COBRA administration for Blue Shield is by
Ceridian Cobra
Continuation Services.
COBRA administration for SISC
Blue Cross coverage is handled by SISC.
COBRA administration for dental
and vision is run by the Insurance Benefits Office.
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