COBRA

Continuation of Coverage (COBRA)

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires most employer sponsored group health plans to offer employees and their dependents an extension of health coverage at group rates.  This applies to situations in which the coverage would otherwise end due to certain qualifying events.  Qualifying events include an employee’s termination or death.  Dependents may also be eligible for continuation of benefit because of age, divorce or legal separation, or loss of coverage.

Any employee or family member, who loses County-sponsored group coverage due to a qualifying event, is eligible to elect continuation coverage.  Generally, each person who loses health, dental, and/or EAP coverage has an independent right to this coverage.

It is the responsibility of each employee or covered family member to inform the Employee Benefits Office within 60 days of a qualifying event (a dependent’s loss of dependent status, divorce, death) to be eligible to continue coverage.

 Click here for 2008 COBRA rates. 

Domestic partners of employees and the children of domestic partners are not eligible to independently elect to continue coverage after a loss of eligibility.  Domestic partners, however, may continue coverage as a dependent of a former employee who elects continuation coverage.

Please direct your questions about your Continuation of Coverage rights to our COBRA Coordinator at 916-874-5480 or by writing to us at 700 H Street Room 6750, Sacramento, CA 95814 or email at PSDBenefits@saccounty.net.  

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