Health · Chapter 14 · Regulations
COBRA Continuation
Definition
Employers with 20+ employees must offer continuation (not conversion) of group health coverage after qualifying events. 18 months — termination (except gross misconduct) OR reduction in hours that costs coverage · 36 months — dependent events (death, divorce, child ages out, the employee's Medicare entitlement) · 29 months — Social Security disability (premium may rise to 150% for months 19–29). Beneficiary pays 102% of the full premium; elect within 60 days. Notice: employer → plan administrator within 30 days; administrator → beneficiaries within 14 days.
In plain English
Keep the same group plan after leaving — but now you pay the whole bill plus 2%.
Exam tip
Memorize 18/29/36, 102% (150% in disability months 19–29), 60-day election. Termination for GROSS MISCONDUCT (e.g., stealing) disqualifies. Florida Mini-COBRA (F.S. 627.6692) covers employers with FEWER than 20: 18 months (29 if disabled) at up to 115% of premium. Beneficiaries owe the plan notice of divorce/aging-out within 60 days; coverage can end early for nonpayment or new group/Medicare coverage.
Easy to confuse with
These are what this term gets tested against — if you can't tell them apart cold, drill the contrast.
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