Can coverage continue after an employee is terminated?
The continuation of coverage provisions under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires some employers* to offer covered employees and dependents continuation of their group health care coverage for a specified period of time if coverage is terminated due to certain qualifying events. Some states also require continuation of coverage for employers not subject to COBRA. In no event will the COBRA continuation period extend beyond 36 months, even though more than one qualifying event has occurred. If more than one qualifying event occurs, the duration of the continuation period will be measured from the date of the initial qualifying event. The COBRA continuation period will run concurrently with any state-mandated continuation laws. The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) requires employers** to offer any working employees age 65 and over the same medical insurance benefits available to employees under age 65. The employee must be given the
