Hometown Vet 2023 Benefit Guide

LEGAL NOTICES

COBRA

Model General Notice of COBRA Continuation Coverage Rights (For use by single-employer group health plans)

** Continuation Coverage Rights Under COBRA**

Introduction

You’re getting this notice because you recently gained coverage under a group health plan (the Plan). This notice has import ant

information about your right to COBRA continuation coverage, which is a temporary extension of coverage under the Plan. This notice

explains COBRA continuation coverage, when it may become available to you and your family, and what you need to do to

protect your right to get it. When you become eligible for COBRA, you may also become eligible for other coverage options that may

cost less than COBRA continuation coverage.

The right to COBRA continuation coverage was created by a federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985

(COBRA). COBRA continuation coverage can become available to you and other members of your family when group health coverage

would otherwise end. For more information about your rights and obligations under the Plan and under federal law, you should review

the Plan’s Summary Plan Description or contact the Plan Administrator.

You may have other options available to you when you lose group health coverage. For example, you may be eligible to buy an

individual plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. By enrolling in coverage through the Marketplace, you may qualify for lower

costs on your monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, you may qualify for a 30-day special enrollment period for

another group health plan for which you are eligible (such as a spouse’s plan), even if that plan generally doesn’t accept la te enrollees.

What is COBRA continuation coverage?

COBRA continuation coverage is a continuation of Plan coverage when it would otherwise end because of a life event. This is also

called a “qualifying event.” Specific qualifying events are listed later in this notice. After a qualifying event, COBRA co ntinuation

coverage must be offered to each person who is a “qualified beneficiary.” You, your spouse, and your dependent children coul d

become qualified beneficiaries if coverage under the Plan is lost because of the qualifying event. Under the Plan, qualified beneficiaries

who elect COBRA continuation coverage.

If you’re an employee, you’ll become a qualified beneficiary if you lose your coverage under the Plan because of the followin g qualifying

events:

• Your hours of employment are reduced, or

• Your employment ends for any reason other than your gross misconduct.

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Hometown Veterinary Partners Benefits Guide

LEGAL NOTICES

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