Employee Benefits

Premium Assistance for COBRA Continuation of Insurance Benefits

The federal law, COBRA, allows most former employees (qualified beneficiaries) to continue their health insurance coverage for 18 months, however, due to the high cost of health insurance most people are unable to afford to take advantage of COBRA. Recognizing this problem, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5 was enacted on February 17, 2009 and establishes an employer-provided subsidy for health insurance and other medical-related insurance premiums for employees who experience a qualifying event related to an involuntarily termination of employment between September 1, 2008 and February 28, 2010. If eligible for COBRA premium assistance, the former employer pays 65% of the health insurance and other medical-related insurance premiums for the first 15 months of COBRA coverage. After 15 months, the qualified beneficiary is responsible for the full premium due.

Eligibility Requirements and Insurance Premium Information

Employee Forms

  • Appeal Form - used to request review by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) if you are denied COBRA premium assistance for which you believe you are eligible.

  • Apuntes informativos en español - COBRA Fact Sheet in Spanish (Added 2/3/10)

For Employers

Layoff Resources

  • How Layoff Impacts Your Benefits (UWS 41) - For Employees Under Minimum Retirement Age (age 55 for most employees, age 50 for protectives) (Revised 1/15/10)

  • How Layoff Impacts Your Benefits (UWS 42) - For Employees At or Above Minimum Retirement Age (age 55 for most employees, age 50 for protectives) (Revised 1/15/10)

  • Health Insurance Premium Payment at Layoff (UWS 40) - the employer should send this form to an employee when notified of an impending layoff. This form outlines the options an employee has regarding health insurance upon termination due to layoff (PDF or Word). (Revised 1/15/10)

  • UWSA's Layoff Page

U.S. Department of Labor and IRS Resources

 

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This document was last revised on January 28, 2010

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