Legal Notices Benefits for 2023
COBRA
Are there other coverage options besides COBRA Continuation Coverage?
Yes. Instead of enrolling in COBRA continuation coverage, there may be other coverage options for you and your family through the
Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) , or other group health plan coverage
options (such as a spouse’s plan) through what is called a “special enrollment period.” Some of these options may cost less than
COBRA continuation coverage. You can learn more about many of these options at www.healthcare.gov .
Can I enroll in Medicare instead of COBRA continuation coverage after my group health plan coverage ends?
In general, if you don’t enroll in Medicare Part A or B when you are first eligible because you are still employed, after the Medicare initial
enrollment period, you have an 8-month special enrollment period 1 to sign up for Medicare Part A or B, beginning on the earlier of
• The month after your employment ends; or
• The month after group health plan coverage based on current employment ends.
If you don’t enroll in Medicare and elect COBRA continuation coverage instead, you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment p enalty
and you may have a gap in coverage if you decide you want Part B later. If you elect COBRA continuation coverage and later enroll in
Medicare Part A or B before the COBRA continuation coverage ends, the Plan may terminate your continuation coverage. However, if
Medicare Part A or B is effective on or before the date of the COBRA election, COBRA coverage may not be discontinued on account
of Medicare entitlement, even if you enroll in the other part of Medicare after the date of the election of COBRA coverage.
If you are enrolled in both COBRA continuation coverage and Medicare, Medicare will generally pay first (primary payer) and COBRA
continuation coverage will pay second. Certain plans may pay as if secondary to Medicare, even if you are not enrolled in Medicare.
For more information visit https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.
If you have questions
Questions concerning your Plan or your COBRA continuation coverage rights should be addressed to the contact or contacts identified
below. For more information about your rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including COBRA, the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and other laws affecting group health plans, contact the nearest Regional or District Office
of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in your area or visit
www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa . (Addresses and phone numbers of Regional and District EBSA Offices are available through EBSA’s
website.) For more information about the Marketplace, visit www.healthcare.gov .
This booklet provides only a summary of your benefits. All services described within are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in each insurance carrier or provider’s contract.
2023 Employee Benefit Guide
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