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How COBRA Insurance Works In Minnesota

In Minnesota, individuals who lose their job or experience a reduction in hours may be eligible to continue their employer-sponsored health insurance through COBRA or the state’s Mini-COBRA program. While federal COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, Minnesota’s Mini-COBRA offers similar continuation coverage for workers whose employers have 19 or fewer employees. On average, COBRA coverage in Minnesota costs around $452 per month for individual plans, with enrollees responsible for the full premium amount.

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COBRA Eligibility

Minnesota Allows

COBRA Alternative:
Save Up To 70%

Accident-Only Insurance
Starting At
$44/month*
Covers An Insurance Gap
Until Your Next Work Health Plan Starts

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*Based on age and state availability

Continuation of Health Insurance Coverage In Minnesota

Please choose:

No Pre-Existing Conditions
Term Medical Gap Coverage

Available in some states, as low as $44/month

Coverage For
Pre-Existing Conditions

$400 – 700/month per individual

Medicare
Nearing Retirement Age

Learn about Medicare Advantage

Minnesota Mini-COBRA Law

Minnesota’s continuation of health coverage law, often referred to as “Mini-COBRA,” provides eligible employees the right to continue their group health insurance after certain qualifying events. This state law applies to a broad range of plans, including those underwritten by commercial carriers, HMOs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs), and fully insured church plans. It also extends to political subdivisions such as counties, school districts, and municipalities.

  • Eligibility: Applies to employees who are voluntarily or involuntarily terminated or laid off, excluding cases of gross misconduct. A layoff includes a reduction in hours making the employee ineligible for the plan.
  • Coverage Duration: Up to 18 months, or until the individual becomes covered under another group health plan, whichever occurs first.
  • Premium Cost: The individual must pay the full premium plus up to a 2% administrative fee, totaling no more than 102% of the plan’s cost.
  • Election Period: Employees have 60 days from the date coverage would otherwise end or from the date they receive notice, whichever is later, to elect continuation coverage.
  • Employer Responsibility: Employers must provide written notice of the right to continue coverage within 14 days of termination or layoff.
  • Conversion Option: At the end of the continuation period, individuals have the right to convert to an individual policy without evidence of insurability, provided they apply within 30 days.

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Applying For COBRA In Minnesota For Pre-Existing Conditions Health Coverage

By choosing COBRA, you are keeping your employer-provided insurance. It’s a smart option if you frequently visit the doctor or require prescription medication. You still have the same health insurance policy. Your deductibles won’t need to be restarted because the plan will pick up where it left off.

Apply For COBRA

Employer Has 20+ Employees

You may continue your most recent work health insurance for up to 18 months as an employee. Family members may access the plan for up to 36 months.

You sign up for COBRA with your former employer or their third party. The premium will be $400 – 700 / month, per insured person.

Minnesota Mini-COBRA

All employees qualify for COBRA.

In Minnesota, all employers are compelled to offer a continuation of worker’s health insurance. The human resources department or their third-party administrator will notify you on how to apply.

Marketplace / Obamacare

A loss of work health insurance is a qualifying event to find new healthcare through the public healthcare exchange.

The average plan premium in Minnesota is $404 in 2023.
Source: Value Penguin

View Affordable Care Act Plans

GAP Insurance: Accident-Only Medical Plans

You can choose a private short-term health plan in Minnesota to fill an insurance gap. The following coverage option offers considerable medical benefits for any accidents that may occur at any time.

Accident Only Insurance with Telehealth

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

Pre-existing Conditions Do Not Exclude You From Accident Only Coverage

Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability

Accidents happen, and the last thing you want to worry about is who or how the bills are going to get paid. With this plan, you can focus on getting care. CAM helps you and your family with the high cost of healthcare resulting from injury or accidents.

Includes Telehealth – Access to prescribing  doctors for common issues

Medicare

After your workplace insurance ends, you’ll sign up for Medicare within 8 months.

In general, you can sign up for Part A and Part B starting three months before your 65th birthday and ending three months after your 65th birthday.

Learn more about Medicare deadlines and how Medicare Advantage plans can replace original Medicare at no cost to you.

COBRA Is Available in All 50 States

Employee continuation of health insurance coverage is not required in all states. When a state lacks laws governing the continuation of work-related medical benefits, the federal COBRA Act protects these rights. Find out more about your state.

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