{"id":355805,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/cobra-overview-the-consolidated-omnibus-budget-reconciliation-ac.html"},"modified":"2024-03-29T11:52:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T16:52:36","slug":"cobra-overview-the-consolidated-omnibus-budget-reconciliation-ac","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/cobra-overview-the-consolidated-omnibus-budget-reconciliation-ac.html","title":{"rendered":"COBRA Health Insurance Rights: Coverage and Eligibility"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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COBRA Health Insurance Rights: Coverage and Eligibility <\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA), you can’t lose your health insurance coverage if you lose your job. COBRA amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to ensure anyone who loses their job doesn’t lose health insurance. Under COBRA<\/a>, employers must extend health insurance coverage to employees who experience specific changes in employment.<\/p>\r\n

COBRA Continuation Coverage<\/h2>\r\n

Before Congress passed COBRA<\/a>, if you lost your job, you also lost your health insurance. This was often disastrous for anyone with ongoing or chronic medical conditions, as this loss could complicate their treatment. Many people remained in jobs to protect their access to health insurance coverage. COBRA continuation coverage ensures that the employee and any qualified beneficiaries do not lose their coverage if their employment ends.<\/p>\r\n

COBRA applies to employers with at least 20 employees that sponsor group health insurance plans. The insurance plan administrator must notify employees of their COBRA rights within 90 days of getting health insurance coverage.<\/p>\r\n

Qualified Beneficiaries<\/h3>\r\n

Qualified beneficiaries are those covered by the employer’s group health insurance plan the day before a qualifying event. The following is a list of potential qualified beneficiaries<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n