If an employee loses eligibility for group health insurance, how long can they continue to receive benefits under COBRA?

COBRA, which stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, allows employees and their dependents to continue their group health insurance coverage after they experience a qualifying event that causes them to lose eligibility. One of the most common qualifying events is the loss of employment or a reduction in hours that results in losing health insurance coverage.

Under COBRA, the general continuation period for health benefits is 18 months for employees who lose their benefits due to termination of employment or a reduction in work hours. This timeframe is designed to give individuals and their families an opportunity to find other health insurance options or secure employment with health coverage.

It's important to note that there are some situations in which the continuation period could be extended beyond 18 months, such as in the case of disability or other qualifying events, but the standard duration for the initial continuation of benefits remains 18 months. Understanding this timeframe is crucial for anyone involved in group health insurance systems to ensure compliance and support for affected employees and their families.