COBRA
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a federal law in effect since 1986. COBRA permits you and your dependents to continue in your employer’s group health plan after your job ends. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you may be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage when you retire, quit, are fired, or work reduced hours. Continuation coverage also extends to surviving, divorced or separated spouses, dependent children, and children who lose their dependent status under their parent’s plan rules. You may choose to continue in the group health plan for a limited time and pay the full premium (including the share your employer used to pay on your behalf). COBRA continuation coverage generally lasts 18 months, or 36 months for dependents in certain circumstances.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your COBRA coverage, you may contact:
State of Connecticut Department of Insurance
Consumer Affairs Division
P.O. Box 816
Hartford, CT 06142-0816
Toll free at (800) 203-3447
www.ct.gov/CID
U.S. Department of Labor
Pension & Welfare Benefits Administration
Boston Regional Office
JFK Federal Building, Room 575
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-9600