How to Apply for Michigan Cobra Insurance

The federal government enacted the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) so that people who were recently separated from their jobs can continue with their employer-provided group health coverage for at least 18 months if the employer has twenty or more employees. The employee has to pay the entire premium amount plus up to two percent in processing fees. Former employees must apply for COBRA coverage within 60 days of leaving the job. Since Michigan does not have its own employer health coverage continuation laws, the state follows federal guidelines for eligibility and application.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your employer to determine if your termination was due to gross misconduct because, if so, you are not eligible for COBRA benefits. You can still get coverage if you left voluntarily or were fired for reasons other than gross misconduct.

• 2

  Contact your old employer by phone, mail or in person to request the COBRA application if you do not receive it 14 days from your last day at work.

• 3

  Complete the COBRA application by answering questions about the types of coverage you wish to continue such as health, vision and dental benefits, and the number of people you want to cover under the plan. Give information about yourself and your previous employer that includes names, addresses and phone numbers. Contact the insurance company or the Michigan State Insurance Department if you have questions while filling out the forms.

• 4

  Mail or fax the paperwork to the insurance company. Your coverage will continue without a break, and you will receive a bill that includes retroactive payments from the date of termination about 30 days after the insurer processes your application.