COBRA Election Period and Deadlines

How long do I have to file for my COBRA insurance?

Under federal regulations, the 60-day election window must begin no later than the day your prior coverage ends and no earlier than the date you receive the election notice or whichever of these two dates occurs later. Coverage is then available for election up to 60 days from that later date.

Learn more about qualifying events for COBRA eligibility.

What You Need to Know

If your work health insurance would stop for any reason, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
You have 60 days to sign up for COBRA from the time you receive your election notice

Your Special Enrollment Period

A special enrollment period is a set time when you can apply for health insurance outside the regular open enrollment. You may qualify if you lose your job-based health coverage.

COBRA Deadlines

Here’s a breakdown of COBRA, so you know what to expect after a qualifying event:

Qualifying event: Coverage loss triggers eligibility.
Employer notice: Employer has 30 days to report it to the health plan.
Election notice: You’ll get paperwork within 14 days.
Election period: 60 days to choose COBRA and apply.
Initial payment: 45 days to pay after electing.
Coverage start: Backdated to when coverage ended.
Coverage length: 18 months for employees or up to 36 months for dependents, depending on the qualifying event.