San Bernardino County, as required under provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), offers employees and their covered family members the opportunity to elect a temporary extension of coverage (called “continuation coverage” or “COBRA coverage”) in certain instances where coverage would otherwise end due to certain qualifying events. Such events include:
- Death of a covered employee
- Termination of a covered employee’s employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct) or reduction in the employee’s hours of employment
- Divorce of a covered employee
- A covered employee becomes entitled to Medicare benefits
- A covered dependent ceasing to be a dependent child under the terms of the plan
(Detailed definitions of qualifying events are contained in the law itself. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website.)
![Book with title Continuation of Health Coverage.](https://hr.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2020/06/ContinuationHealthCoverage-1024x683.jpeg?x16200)
Premium Payments
If you are choosing to elect COBRA coverage, you will receive payment coupons to submit with a check to pay for your COBRA premiums each month. You or your qualified beneficiary is responsible for the full applicable premium plus an administration fee of up to 2%.
Length of Continuous Coverage
Qualifying Event | Qualified Beneficiaries | Maximum Period of Continuation Coverage |
---|---|---|
Termination of employment (other than for reasons of gross misconduct) | Employee Spouse, Dependent Child | 18 months |
Reduction in work hours | Employee Spouse, Dependent Child | 18 months |
Death of the employee | Spouse, Dependent Child | 36 months |
Divorce or legal separation | Spouse, Dependent Child | 36 months |
Loss of “dependent child” status under the plan | Dependent Child | 36 months |
A qualified beneficiary is any individual who, on the day before a qualifying event, is covered under San Bernardino County’s group health and welfare plans maintained by virtue of being on that day either a covered employee, the spouse of a covered employee, or a dependent child of a covered employee.
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Resources
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Contact Us
San Bernardino County HIPAA Complaints Official
157 West Fifth Street , First Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0440
Phone: 1.909.387.5552
Fax: 1.909.387.5566
Email: ebsd@hr.sbcounty.gov