How to Apply for Cobra Insurance

The 1986 federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, known as COBRA, gives recently unemployed people and their dependents the right to continue with the same group health care plan they had with their former employers for up to 18 months. In order to qualify for COBRA, the employee's company has to have at least 20 employees. The employee has to pay the full amount of the premium without the former benefit of the employer paying a portion. COBRA coverage is not automatic. You have to apply within 60 days of your termination date to receive coverage.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you are eligible for COBRA coverage. If your termination was not due to gross misconduct, you qualify for COBRA coverage, even if you were fired or left voluntarily. Contact your employer to verify your termination was not for gross misconduct.

• 2

  Call your former employer to obtain the COBRA application documents if they do not send them automatically within 14 days of your termination date.

• 3

  Complete the COBRA election form and mail or fax it to the insurance company. Most COBRA applications are brief and ask you to give your name, date of termination, dependent information and the types of coverage you want to keep such as health, vision and dental benefits.