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If you have
either federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA and
your time period for coverage is about
to be used up, you should check to see
if you are eligible for an extension of
your COBRA benefits under what is
commonly called "Senior COBRA." Senior
COBRA is provided for under state law.
Who May
Enroll in Senior COBRA
A former
employee who was at least 60 years old
at the time employment ended, and who
had worked for the employer for at least
five years, may be eligible for Senior
COBRA. The former employee's spouse, and
any former spouse, may also continue
coverage.
Who
May Not Enroll in Senior COBRA
You are
not eligible for Senior COBRA if you are
one of the following:
- A
former employee whose employment
ended because of gross misconduct.
-
Eligible for Medicare
-
Sixty-five years old or older
-
Someone covered by another group
health plan
-
Someone who did not choose COBRA
when it was available to you
-
Someone who fails to choose Senior
COBRA in writing when it is
available
-
Someone whose allowed eligibility
period has been used up
Benefits Under Senior COBRA
Anyone
covered under Senior COBRA continues the
same basic health care benefits as were
available under federal COBRA or
Cal-COBRA. No restrictions based on
pre-existing conditions are allowed.
Specialized health care service plans,
such as dental or vision plans, are not
required to offer Senior COBRA
Choosing to Have Senior COBRA
As the
end of your COBRA or Cal-COBRA
approaches, your employer or the health
plan must notify you of the availability
of Senior COBRA. (Note: If you are
eligible to extend COBRA under Cal-COBRA
for up to 36 months of continuous
coverage, the notification will occur at
the end of Cal-COBRA.) You must notify
the health plan, in writing, within 30
days of the end of your coverage that
you wish to continue coverage under
Senior COBRA.
The
Time Period for Continuing Coverage
under Senior COBRA
Benefits
may last up to five years or until one
of the following events occurs:
- The
individual turns 65
- The
individual becomes Medicare eligible
- The
individual does not pay premiums
- The
employer no longer offers health
coverage to any active employees
Notice: We attempt to make
descriptions of the law accurate as
of the date of publication. However,
the descriptions are only summaries
and not definitive statements of
law. Questions about the law's
application to a particular case
should be directed to an attorney.
Complaints relating to coverage
issues should be directed to the
Department of Managed Health Care's
toll-free number (888) HMO-2219
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