How Idaho Handles COBRA Health Insurance

You Will Pay The Entire Premium

Unfortunately, the provision that the exiting employee is responsible for the entirety of the health insurance premium means that any person extending their group health insurance plan under COBRA is likely paying a substantial sum of money for his or her health insurance plan. The fact is, absent employer contribution to the health insurance premium, COBRA insurance is just too expensive for Idahoans.

Idaho COBRA Insurance

Under Idaho health insurance rules, the federal COBRA regulations apply to only those companies with more than 20 employees. An eligible employee may decide to keep their Idaho health insurance coverage through COBRA for up to 18 months, or until they get other coverage, whichever comes first. There are exceptions to the 18 month limit. For instance, some dependents can remain covered for up to 36 months, and disabled persons can be covered for 29 months. COBRA is a way to extend the Idaho health insurance you had from an employer. However, if the group insurance plans ends or your employer decides to stop providing health insurance for employees, your COBRA coverage will also end. For people whose COBRA coverage has ended, there is further Idaho health insurance coverage available through the Idaho Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ACHIA).

Under the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) federal law Idaho residents can continue, subject to duration limits, health coverage from a prior employer.