How to Keep Your Health Insurance After Losing Eligibility Due to Reduced Hours

  1. Knowledge Base
  2. Starting COBRA
  3. Qualifying Event: Reduction in Hours
Does COBRA allow me to keep my health plan if my work hours are reduced?

COBRA lets you continue your employer-sponsored health insurance even if your work hours are cut and you no longer qualify for the group health plan. Under the federal COBRA continuation laws, employers with 20 or more employees must offer you the option to keep the same health plan temporarily after a reduction in hours.

How Do You Get COBRA After Losing Health Insurance Due to Reduced Work Hours?

You can obtain COBRA coverage from your employer if your health insurance ended because your work hours were reduced. Here are the two steps for starting COBRA continuation after this qualifying event:

  1. The employer has up to 45 days to send COBRA election paperwork. This packet includes the cost of the COBRA plan, instructions on how to enroll, and where to send your premium payments.
  2. The law gives you a 60-day enrollment window to decide whether to continue your current health plan or waive COBRA coverage.