West Virginia Mini-COBRA: Continuation of Health Insurance Coverage

While the federal COBRA law applies to employers with 20 or more employees, West Virginia’s Mini-COBRA law provides continuation rights for individuals working for smaller employers with between 2 and 19 employees. This ensures that workers who lose group health insurance coverage due to job loss or a reduction in hours still have access to their plan for a limited period.

Under the state law, eligible individuals may continue their group health insurance for up to 12 months, as long as they pay the full cost of coverage, including any portion previously paid by the employer. This differs from federal COBRA, which provides coverage for up to 18 or 36 months, depending on the qualifying event.

West Virginia's Mini-COBRA Law

West Virginia’s continuation coverage law gives eligible employees and their dependents the right to maintain group health insurance following a qualifying event such as termination or reduction in work hours. The law applies to group health plans issued by employers with 2 to 19 employees. Like federal COBRA, individuals must pay the entire premium to retain their coverage.

• Employer Size: Applies to employers with 2–19 employees offering group health plans.
• Eligibility: Employees and their covered dependents whose coverage ends due to qualifying events, provided they are not eligible for COBRA under federal law.
• Qualifying Events: Termination of employment, reduction in hours, or other loss of eligibility under the group plan.
• Coverage Duration: Up to 12 months of continuation coverage under West Virginia law.
• Premium Payment: Individuals must pay the full premium amount, including any portion previously paid by the employer.
• Election Period: The employer or insurer must provide written notice outlining the continuation rights and premium payment instructions.
• How to Apply: Eligible individuals should follow the steps provided in the continuation notice to elect coverage and submit timely premium payments to maintain their benefits.

Alternative Low Cost Medical Plans in West Virginia

Continuing an employer plan in West Virginia with Mini-COBRA is around $1,093/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.