COBRA

About COBRA

In most cases COBRA provides you an opportunity to continue coverage for medical/prescription drugs, dental and vision for up to 18 months if you had coverage through Emory’s health plans at the time of your separation.

You also have the option to continue participation in your Healthcare Flexible Spending Account through COBRA until December 31 of the year your employment terminates.

There are circumstances where coverage may be extended:

• 29 months is available to employees who are determined to have been disabled at any time during the first 60 days of COBRA coverage. This would apply to qualified beneficiaries.
• Up to 36 months for spouses and dependents facing a loss of employer-provided coverage due to an employee's death or a divorce.

There may be some instances that allow you keep or to elect a different coverage. Contact Emory's COBRA Administrator, McGriff, with questions about your specific circumstance at 678-367-3107.

Affordable Care Act and Health Care Exchanges

There may be other coverage options for you and your family and you may be able to buy coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You could be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premiums right away, and you can see what your premium, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs will be before you make a decision to enroll. Being eligible for COBRA does not limit your eligibility for coverage or a tax credit. You can learn more about Health Care Reform at HealthCare.gov:

Eligibility

Emory employees who separate from employment (either voluntarily or involuntarily) are eligible for COBRA. You must have existing coverage in medical, dental, vision and/or a healthcare flexible spending account at the time of separation in order to continue these benefits.

COBRA is also available to employees who have a change in their employment status that makes them ineligible for benefits. The affected employee must have been enrolled for medical, dental, vision and/or healthcare flexible spending account prior to the change in status.

Cost

The COBRA rate is the full cost of the plan plus an additional 2% to cover administrative expenses.

How to Enroll

Upon departmental notification of your change in status or employment separation, you will receive information on how to enroll and the cost of coverage. You should receive this information within 15 to 30 days of your termination date.

You have 60 days after your change in benefits eligible status or employment separation date, or from the date of notification (whichever is later) to complete your enrollment for COBRA continuation coverage.

Making Changes

Changes are only permitted during annual enrollment or within 31 days of a Family Status Change.