How does COBRA insurance work in Arizona?
Compared to the federal COBRA law, Arizona’s Mini COBRA law applies to employers with 19 or fewer employees and provides continuation coverage for up to 18 months, while the federal law applies to employers with 20 or more employees and provides continuation coverage for up to 18 or 36 months.
Arizona's Mini-COBRA Law
Arizona's Mini-COBRA law, A.R.S. § 20-2330, provides continuation of health insurance coverage for employees and their dependents in small employers with 19 or fewer employees, whereas federal COBRA law only applies to employers with 20 or more workers. This means that individuals who have lost their job in a smaller employer in Arizona are still able to continue their health insurance coverage, which may be essential for their health and financial stability.
Under Arizona's Mini-COBRA law, eligible individuals may be able to continue their health insurance coverage for up to 18 months, which is comparable to the duration of federal COBRA. Although the premiums paid by the employee under the Arizona Mini-COBRA law can be higher than under the federal COBRA law, the option to continue coverage can be a valuable safety net for individuals who may not be covered under the federal law due to the size of their employer. This can be especially important for those with pre-existing medical conditions or ongoing medical needs, as losing health insurance coverage can lead to significant medical expenses and limited access to necessary medical care. Overall, Arizona's Mini-COBRA law provides an important benefit for individuals who are employed by smaller employers and may not have access to the federal COBRA continuation coverage.
COBRA Continuation Costs $685/mo on average in Arizona
In Arizona, if you choose to continue your work health insurance you will be responsible for the full premium, including the portion previously paid by your employer.
Applying for Mini-COBRA in Arizona
The Arizona Continuation Law may allow you to keep your employer-sponsored health insurance if your employer has 20 or more fewer full-time workers participating in the company health plan.
To continue your work health plan, you will need to apply through your employer or a third-party administrator responsible for managing COBRA benefits.
Helpful Resources in Arizona
Alternative Low Cost Medical Plans in Arizona
Continuing an employer plan in Arizona with Mini-COBRA is around $685/mo, per individual. If COBRA is unavailable or is outside of your budget, you do have affordable other options for health coverage. See below:
The cost of health insurance is determined by your age and state of residency.
Affordable Care Act for Pre-Existing Conditions Arizona
Like employer-sponsored group health plans, all Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans are required to cover pre-existing conditions without exception. These plans also include a comprehensive set of essential health benefits, which means they must cover doctor visits, hospital care, emergency services, surgeries, maternity and newborn care, mental health treatment, and prescription medications. This ensures that individuals and families receive broad, reliable coverage regardless of their health history.
Get an ACA Health Plan QuoteBudget-Friendly Health Coverage Solutions to Arizona Mini-COBRA
In Arizona you can bridge a gap using one of the following plans:
Health Continuation Laws by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming