Page 17 - 2021 HN Benefits Booklet

California COBRA Extensions

You may already know that California is the leader in employee benefit law.

Beginning July 2004 as a COBRA participant you may qualify for an extension of
Medical benefits through the Insurance carrier. This extension allows all
California residents the opportunity to continue their COBRA coverage for an
additional eighteen (18) months through CalCobra for a total of 36 months of

COBRA participation.

All California mandated extensions are administered directly by the insurance

Carrier at 110% of the premium. It is however, the employer’s responsibility to
notify you, the COBRA participant, 90 days prior to the end of the initial eligibility
period of your possible right to and extension. It is the responsibility of the
participant to request the extension no later than 30 days prior to their end of
eligibility. This extension is granted when the following requirements are met:

• Must be a California resident

• Must have exhausted Federal COBRA (18 months of continuous coverage)

Covered California (coveredca.com)

If you are an employee covered by your employer’s health plan and lose your
group health coverage because of a reduction in your hours of employment or
the termination of your employment, you may have the option to enroll in

Covered California. Through Covered CA you may be eligible for subsides that
may lower your monthly premiums. You can see what your premium,
deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs will be before you make a decision to enroll
on COBRA. Being eligible for COBRA does not limit your eligibility for coverage

for a tax credit through Covered CA. You must request enrollment within 60
days of losing your group coverage.

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