Can I receive credit for previous COBRA continuation coverage?
Yes. Under HIPAA any period of time that you are receiving COBRA continuation coverage is counted as previous health coverage as long as the coverage occurred without a break in coverage of 63 days or more. For example, if you were covered continuously for 5 months by a previous health plan and then received 7 months of COBRA continuation coverage, you would be entitled to receive credit for 12 months of coverage by your new group health plan. I began employment with my current employer 45 days after my previous group health plan coverage terminated. I had coverage under my previous employer’s plan for 24 continuous months prior to the termination. I had no other coverage before my enrollment date in my new plan, Will I be subject to the 12-month preexisting condition exclusion period imposed by my new employer? Not if you enroll when you are first eligible. The 45-day break in coverage does not count as a significant break in coverage under HIPAA. Under federal law, a significant brea
