The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is intended to insure that you and your dependents can maintain the group health coverage following events that otherwise would result in a termination of coverage.  COBRA's protections are temporary and are intended as a stopgap until insurance is obtained from another source, such as a new employer. 

The length of time you would be allowed to continue coverage for yourself and/or your dependents depends on the qualifying event.

• Separation from employment (resignation or termination) --- (18 months)
• Reduction in hours (full-time to part-time status) --- (18 months)
• Divorce, or legal separation --- (36 months)
• Death of employee (coverage for spouse or dependents) --- (36 months)
• Child married or attained age 23 --- (36 months)

You would have to notify the Office of Human Resources within 60 days of the qualifying event of your decision to elect temporary continuation of health benefits.  You would then be responsible for payment of the full premium (including the former College share).  The first payment would be due upon enrollment and subsequent monthly premiums should be received by the 15th day of each month. 

Your benefits would then continue until the earliest of the following events occurs:

• Our Employee Health Plan is no longer in force
• The expiration of the length of time based on the qualifying event
• You become a covered employee under any other group health plan
• You fail to pay the monthly charge for this coverage on time
• You or your dependent(s) become eligible for Medicare