How to Continue Health Insurance After Layoff

How to Continue Health Care Insurance after a Layoff

U.S. law requires that group health care plans provide laid-off workers the opportunity to continue health coverage. This is accomplished through a program called COBRA Continuation Coverage Election. Your employer is required to inform you at the time of layoff of the availability of continuing coverage. You will only have about two months to act on the opportunity to continue your health coverage.

Instructions

1. Check with your former employer about COBRA services and the continuation of your health care plan. Mention that it is federal law and ask for an explanation if you are not offered such a service.

2. Review the forms provided in the package your employer provides, including your certificate of credible coverage, and make sure all the information including your name, address and phone number are all correct. If not, mark any changes on the form that you will have to send in.

3. Mail the enclosed form to the required address (you will not have to pay anything yet), or register online at the website that is mentioned on your forms.

4. Expect a notice in the mail a week or so later explaining the terms of the health insurance plan.

5. Make your first month's payment, and then payments each month thereafter.

Tips & Warnings

• Also check other health insurance plans using online search engines just in case you may be able to find the same plan for a cheaper price.

References

• United States Department of Labor: Continuation of Health Coverage — COBRA