Is COBRA Insurance Retroactive?

With the new health care reform laws, will COBRA insurance still be retroactive and how does this works?

The Federal COBRA Health Insurance Act requires all businesses with 20 or more employees to offer a continuation of the health insurance after job loss.

When you elect COBRA coverage, the effective date begins the date after your work health insurance ended.  The insurance plan continues from where it left off. The coinsurance you pay toward your deductibles won’t change.

What Is COBRA?

COBRA is a federal law that requires employers with 20 or more employees to offer the same group health care coverage after you’ve voluntarily or involuntarily left your job or have had your work hours reduced. Because COBRA is simply the same coverage you had through a previous employer, you would need to contact the COBRA Administrator at your previous employer to begin or cancel coverage. Typically, the COBRA Administrator is in the HR department or the company that sponsored the insurance may use a third party administrator.

Licensed Insurance Agents

Do you have more COBRA questions? Try contacting a healthcare.gov certified insurance specialist. These COBRA customer service agents are licensed in all 50 states. They can offer advice and alternative plans that best suit your needs.