How to Find Out If You Are Covered by Cobra

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, known as COBRA, is a health insurance continuation benefit that allows former employees and their dependents the chance to continue health care coverage even after they lose their health benefits. After losing or leaving a job, some people may not know if they and their families are covered by COBRA. Understanding who qualifies for COBRA coverage, however, can help you find out whether you are covered or not. See if your particular circumstance meets the three requirements that qualify individuals for COBRA coverage.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your employer if you are covered by COBRA. The human resource department will be able to tell you whether or not COBRA benefits apply to the organization.

• 2

  Check your former employer's paperwork to see if there is any mention of COBRA benefits after the term of your employment. In many cases, employers inform their employees of COBRA coverage by sending information to them in the mail after they no longer work for the company. The mailed information lets employees know how to sign up for the coverage.

• 3

  Determine whether your former employer is a qualifying company for COBRA. One of the requirements for COBRA coverage is that the group health insurance plan covers at least 20 employees for more than 50 percent of typical business days. This applies to both full- and part-time employees.

• 4

  Review the health insurance plan that was provided by your former employer. Whoever was on your health insurance plan is also eligible to be covered by COBRA.

• 5

  See if you qualify for COBRA based on your qualifying event. A qualifying event can include job loss, voluntary termination, layoff or a reduction of hours. In your spouse's case, qualifying events include divorce from the health plan holder or death of the covered employee. If you -- or your spouse -- meet one of the qualifying events, then it is most likely that you are covered by COBRA.

• 6

  Contact COBRA's insurance offices to get confirmation as to whether or not you are covered. They will ask you questions about your employment status, where you worked, details about your former health plan and to describe the qualifying event.