COBRA

Employees and their covered dependents may have the right to continue medical, dental, and vision benefits for up to 36 months under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) when group coverage would otherwise end due to the employee's death or because:

• Employment terminates for a reason other than gross misconduct;
• The employee's status changes due to a reduction in hours;
• A child no longer qualifies as a "dependent child" under the terms of the medical, dental, or vision plan;
• The employee becomes divorced or legally separated; or
• The employee becomes entitled to Medicare.

In the case of divorce, legal separation, or a child losing dependent status, the employee or a family member must notify the plan administrator within 60 days of the event.

The plan administrator will then notify those eligible for continuation coverage of their right to elect COBRA. Employers with fewer than 20 employees are generally not subject to federal COBRA, but Florida provides a comparable state level right to continuation coverage under the Florida Health Insurance Coverage Continuation Act, Florida Statutes Section 627.6692, which can extend coverage for up to 18 months in most circumstances. For more information about either federal or Florida continuation coverage, contact Human Resources.