What process must individuals follow to elect COBRA coverage?
Employers must notify plan administrators of a qualifying event within 30 days after an employee’s death, termination, reduced hours of employment or entitlement to Medicare. A qualified beneficiary must notify the plan administrator of a qualifying event within 60 days after divorce or legal separation or a child’s ceasing to be covered as a dependent under plan rules. Plan participants and beneficiaries must be sent a COBRA election notice within 14 days after the plan administrator receives notice that a qualifying event has occurred. The individual then has 60 days to notify the administrator of the insurance plan if you wish to elect the COBRA continuation of coverage. The individual has 45 days after electing the coverage to pay the initial premium.
