Maine Cobra Insurance Resource

COBRA Insurance in Maine:

What are your options?

State Insurance Department Information:

Maine insurance department documents and articles of interest:

Cobra Insurance in Maine:

The Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows retiring employees, or those who lose coverage due to quitting a job or reduced work hours, to continue group coverage for a limited period of time. This also applies to their dependents who lose coverage because of divorce or legal separation; death of the covered employee; the covered employee qualifying for Medicare; or a loss of dependent status under the health plan’s provisions. COBRA applies only to employers with 20 or more employees.

If you qualify for COBRA benefits, your health-plan administrator must give you a notice stating your right to choose to continue benefits provided by the plan. You then have 60 days to accept coverage or lose all rights to the benefits. Once you select COBRA coverage, you may have to pay 100 percent of the total insurance cost, plus a two percent processing fee.

If you work for an employer that has over 20 full-time employees:  Then federal COBRA law applies, go to COBRA summary

If you work for an employer that has under 20 full-time employees:  Maine has a law that is similar to COBRA (Continuation).  Plans with 2-19 employees can qualify for 12 months.

Continuation

If you are not eligible for COBRA because your employer does not have 20 employees, you may still be able to continue your coverage for up to 12 months under Maine State law. If you terminate employment due to a temporary lay-off or due to an injury for which you claim Workers’ Compensation, you can continue health insurance coverage under your employers’ plan for yourself and/or any covered dependents.

You must elect coverage within 31 days following termination of employment. As with COBRA, you must pay 102% of the full premium (full premium plus 2% administrative cost). At the end of the coverage period, you will be able to choose one of the other options, such as individual coverage.

What are your options?

1. Contact your previous employer and ask him/her to give you your COBRA papers so that you may see how much it is to continue your health insurance through the group plan.

2. Shop for temporary health insurance: if you do not have preexisting conditions and need temporary coverage for 1-6 months then temporary health insurance is a great solution and you will find that it is extremely affordable.

3. If you have preexisting conditions or pregnant you should try to get on another group plan (or pay for COBRA) as quick as you can or contact your local insurance state department to see what they have available for you.  Many states have a guaranteed issue health insurance plan for individuals who cannot secure coverage through a private health insurer.  Check out our Uninsurable State Risk Pools Resource page.

Maine State Insurance Department Contact Information:

The Maine Bureau of Insurance
34 State House Station
Augusta ME 04333
(207) 624-8475
(800) 300-5000
http://maineinsurancereg.org

General Information: 1-800-259-5300 or 1-800-259-5301
(toll free inside Maine only)Direct Telephone numbers: (225) 342-5900 or (225) 342-0895

Maine COBRA links:

• Department of Insurance: Maine

• What Can I Do If I Lose My Group Insurance?

• Consumer Guide to Health Insurance