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Understanding COBRA Insurance in Missouri

Missouri’s Mini-COBRA law is similar to the federal COBRA law in that it allows individuals who have lost their group health coverage due to a qualifying event to continue their coverage for a limited period of time. However, Mini-COBRA coverage in Missouri is only required for employers with 2 to 19 employees, while federal COBRA law applies to employers with 20 or more employees.

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COBRA Eligibility

Missouri Allows

COBRA Alternative:
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Continuing Health Insurance Coverage In Missouri

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

Missouri’s Mini-COBRA Law

Missouri’s Mini-COBRA law is designed to provide continuation of group health coverage to eligible employees and their dependents who have lost coverage due to a qualifying event. The law applies to employers with 2 to 19 employees and requires them to offer Mini-COBRA coverage to eligible individuals.

Qualifying events for Mini-COBRA coverage in Missouri include termination of employment (other than for gross misconduct), reduction of hours worked, death of the covered employee, and divorce or legal separation from the covered employee.

Source: Missouri Statute 376.428

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Getting COBRA In Missouri To Cover Pre-Existing Conditions

In Missouri, like in other states, COBRA provides a valuable option for employees who have experienced job separation, as it allows them to maintain their current insurance coverage for a limited period of time, usually 18 months, without any gap in coverage.

Here are some reasons why COBRA might be a good choice for someone in Missouri after a job separation:

  1. Continuity of coverage: COBRA allows individuals to maintain their current insurance coverage, which can be especially important if they have a pre-existing medical condition.
  2. Time to find alternative coverage: COBRA provides individuals with time to find alternative health insurance coverage, without having to worry about a gap in coverage.
  3. No pre-existing condition exclusions: With COBRA, individuals are not subject to pre-existing condition exclusions, which can make it easier for them to get insurance coverage elsewhere.
  4. Coverage for dependents: COBRA can also provide coverage for eligible dependents, such as a spouse or children.

Missouri Mini-COBRA

All businesses with a group-health plan for employees.

Requirements for Mini-COBRA coverage in Missouri are as follows:

  1. Eligibility: To be eligible for Mini-COBRA coverage in Missouri, an individual must have lost group health coverage due to a qualifying event, such as termination of employment, reduction of hours worked, death of the covered employee, or divorce or legal separation from the covered employee.
  2. Time frame to elect coverage: Eligible individuals must make an election to enroll in Mini-COBRA coverage within 60 days of the qualifying event or the date of the employer’s notice of the option to enroll.
  3. Payment of premiums: Individuals who elect Mini-COBRA coverage are responsible for paying the full premium for their coverage, which is usually higher than the amount they paid while covered under their employer’s group health plan.
  4. Duration of coverage: Mini-COBRA coverage in Missouri is usually available for up to 18 months.

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.

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 Missouri was  $504 in 2023 according to moneygeek.com.

View Affordable Care Act Plans

Missouri Laws Allows Short-Term Health Insurance As An Option

Missouri law allows residents to use short-term health insurance as an alternative to Obamacare. Short-term health insurance plans are temporary insurance plans that provide coverage for a limited period of time, usually ranging from 30 days to 12 months. These plans are designed for individuals who are between jobs, waiting for employer-sponsored coverage to start, or otherwise in need of temporary coverage.

In Missouri, short-term health insurance plans are not required to comply with the regulations and mandates of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. As a result, short-term health insurance plans may not cover all of the essential health benefits required by the ACA and may have limitations and exclusions.

Short Term Medical Insurance

New Illnesses & Injury Coverage

Flex term short term medical insurance

Plans begin at $80/month.
Based on age and state availability

The FlexTerm Health Insurance plan provides health insurance coverage to help protect you from the medical bills that can result from newly unexpected Injuries and Sickness.

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

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

Limited Indemnity with Telehealth

Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.

Core Health Insurance provides guaranteed acceptance Limited Indemnity Medical coverage for your basic medical needs, helping to provide a medical option for people who do not have the luxury of being covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan.

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

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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