COBRA is a federal law that allows you and your immediate family members to stay on an employer health plan in certain cases, including:
- You lose or quit your job.
- You divorce the employee.
- The employee dies.
- You lose coverage as a dependent due to your age.
COBRA doesn't apply to everyone
- COBRA applies only to employers with 20 or more workers in the previous year.
- COBRA applies to state and federal governments, but not federal plans and certain religious organizations. If you're a federal employee, you have similar rights under another law. Ask your human resource department for more information.
- COBRA generally doesn't apply if you lose your job for “gross misconduct.”
Coverage can be expensive
- If you choose COBRA coverage, you'll need to pay the entire premium. This includes the amount your employer used to pay, plus a 2% administrative fee.
- Instead of COBRA, see if you qualify to buy a health plan through the Washington Healthplanfinder. You may qualify for subsidies to help reduce your insurance premiums.
- If you have COBRA but want to switch to a health plan from the Washington Healthplanfinder, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period.
Where to go for more help
| General COBRA questions | COBRA laws and specific questions | Public sector employees with COBRA questions |
|---|---|---|
|
Call our Insurance Consumer Hotline |
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Seattle District Office 300 Fifth Ave., Ste. 1110 |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 7500 Security Blvd. |