Section VI - Employment Matters

VI D 5

Benefits - Continuation of Health Insurance Under COBRA

To state the College’s policy on the continuation of health insurance under COBRA

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, better known as COBRA, if an employee terminates employment with the College, the employee is entitled to continue participating in the College’s group health plan for a prescribed period of time, usually 18 months. (In certain circumstances, such as employee’s divorce or death, the length of coverage period may be longer for qualified dependents.)

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, better known as USERRA, an employee who is out on a military leave of absence will retain their health insurance coverage for the first 31 days of uniformed service. Employees out on a military leave of absence which extends beyond the 31 days will be eligible for COBRA benefits for up to 24 months.

If a former employee chooses to continue group benefits under COBRA he/she must pay the total applicable premium. Coverage will cease if the former employee fails to make premium payments as scheduled, becomes covered by another group plan that does not exclude pre-existing conditions or become eligible for Medicare.

For detailed information or questions on COBRA, employees are requested to speak with the Human Resources Department.

Adopted: 07/17/2008