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Is COBRA The Same Major Medical Insurance Carrier I Had?

My COBRA notification says that I can continue using my Blue Cross insurance from work. I thought COBRA was it’s own plan. What’s the difference?

COBRA is a federal law. It is not a government subsidy or private insurance company. This law gives individuals the right to continue their Major Medical work insurance after job termination or changes in the immediate family. It is the same plan you were on with the same coverages.

Getting Started With COBRA

To begin the COBRA process, you’ll receive a election notice from the employer who sponsored the group health plan you were on. The notice will offer you to continue on that same plan.

After you sign up for COBRA coverage and make your first premium payment, the insurance will restart at the point where it left off.

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COBRA Eligibility

The Top Employer Health Insurance Carriers

What Are The ACA’s Requirement For A Qualified Health Plan?

In order to be considered compliant with the Affordable Care Act, health plans must include ten specific types of benefits. These benefits include services in the following categories:

  1. ambulatory patient services
  2. emergency services
  3. hospitalization
  4. maternity and newborn care
  5. mental health and substance use disorder services
  6. prescription drug coverage
  7. rehabilitative and habilitative services along with devices
  8. laboratory services
  9. preventative and wellness services and management of chronic disease
  10. pediatric services including oral and vision care

COBRA Third-Party Administrators

Your COBRA plan may be managed by a third-party administrator. Many employers work with the following:

If you are unsure who your plan administrator is, reach out to the human resources department of the company that provided the health insurance you had.

Are You Eligible For COBRA?

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