What Happens If You Lose Your Insurance Or Your Job?
In this situation there are two options to look into: COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) and Special Enrollment.
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COBRA allows individuals to continue to be covered under their previous employer's health insurance plan within 60 days of the qualifying event. COBRA serves as a continuation plan, mandated by federal law, that allows the individual to pay the full premium and an administrative fee to remain under the previous employee health insurance plan, typically for 18 months.
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If the individual does not or chooses not to enroll under COBRA for any reason following the loss of employment, there is a special enrollment period, typically lasting 60 days following the qualifying event, allowing the individual to enroll in a healthcare plan through the Marketplace. This enrollment coverage lasts 18 months. In the case that another life-qualifying event occurs during this period, coverage will be expanded for another 18 months.
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NOTE: You may also be eligible for COBRA if you separate or get divorced from a partner or they pass away and you were being covered under their employment-based insurance. It is important to note that you must enroll in COBRA within 60 days of the qualifying event.
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What is a qualifying event?