COBRA: Continue your insurance
When your employment ends or you otherwise lose your eligibility for UW benefits, you may be able to continue your health insurance per the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). If eligible for COBRA, you pay the monthly premiums for coverage.
As an alternative to continuation through COBRA, losing your job-based coverage qualifies you for coverage through the state marketplace for health insurance. For details, see the Washington Healthplanfinder.
Eligibility
You’re eligible to continue your health coverage for up to 18 months if either of these occur:
- Your employment ends (unless it’s due to gross misconduct)
- You lose eligibility for health insurance because your work hours are reduced
You’re not eligible to continue coverage if you’re already covered by another group health plan. Similarly, you lose your COBRA eligibility once you enroll in another group health plan (unless that plan contains a pre-existing condition exclusion).
Eligibility for dependents
Should you die or get divorced while working at UW, your dependents can continue to receive coverage for up to 36 months.
When your child loses eligibility due to age, they too can continue to receive coverage for up to 36 months.
Enroll
When your employment ends or you otherwise lose your coverage, you have 60 days to enroll in coverage through COBRA.
To pick a plan and continue your health coverage:
- Fill out the COBRA Continuation of Coverage Election form
- Mail the completed form to the Health Care Authority (address listed on the form)
Cost
If you choose to continue coverage through COBRA, you must pay the monthly premiums. You may continue coverage for medical, dental, or both.
Plans are offered by the state Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB), and what you pay depends on whether or not you have Medicare: