payment within that 45 days, you will lose all COBRA continuation rights under the Plan. Subsequent payments After you make your first payment for COBRA continuation coverage, you will be required to make subsequent payments of the required premium for each additional month of coverage. Payment is due on the first day of each month. If you make a payment on or before its due date, your coverage under the Plan will continue for that coverage period without any break. Grace periods for subsequent payments Although subsequent payments are due by the first day of the month, you will be given a grace period of 30 days after the first day of the coverage period to make each monthly payment. Your COBRA continuation coverage will be provided for each coverage period as long as payment for that coverage period is made before the end of the grace period for that payment. However, if your payment is received after the due date, your coverage under the Plan may be suspended during this time. Any providers who contact the Plan to confirm coverage during this time may be informed that coverage has been suspended. If payment is received before the end of the grace period, your coverage will be reinstated back to the beginning of the coverage period. This means that any claim you submit for benefits while your coverage is suspended may be denied and may have to be resubmitted once your coverage is reinstated. If you fail to make a payment before the end of the grace period for that coverage period, you will lose all rights to COBRA continuation coverage under the Plan. You Must Give Notice of Certain Qualifying Events If you or your Dependent(s) experience one of the following qualifying events, you must notify the Plan Administrator within 60 calendar days after the later of the date the qualifying event occurs or the date coverage would cease as a result of the qualifying event: Your divorce or legal separation; or Your child ceases to qualify as a Dependent under the Plan. The occurrence of a secondary qualifying event as discussed under “Secondary Qualifying Events” above (this notice must be received prior to the end of the initial 18- or 29- month COBRA period). (Also refer to the section titled “Disability Extension” for additional notice requirements.) Notice must be made in writing and must include: the name of the Plan, name and address of the Employee covered under the Plan, name and address(es) of the qualified beneficiaries affected by the qualifying event; the qualifying event; the date the qualifying event occurred; and supporting documentation
(e.g., divorce decree, birth certificate, disability determination, etc.). Newly Acquired Dependents If you acquire a new Dependent through marriage, birth, adoption or placement for adoption while your coverage is being continued, you may cover such Dependent under your COBRA continuation coverage. However, only your newborn or adopted Dependent child is a qualified beneficiary and may continue COBRA continuation coverage for the remainder of the coverage period following your early termination of COBRA coverage or due to a secondary qualifying event. COBRA coverage for your Dependent spouse and any Dependent children who are not your children (e.g., stepchildren or grandchildren) will cease on the date your COBRA coverage ceases and they are not eligible for a secondary qualifying event. COBRA Continuation for Retirees Following Employer’s Bankruptcy If you are covered as a retiree, and a proceeding in bankruptcy is filed with respect to the Employer under Title 11 of the United States Code, you may be entitled to COBRA continuation coverage. If the bankruptcy results in a loss of coverage for you, your Dependents or your surviving spouse within one year before or after such proceeding, you and your covered Dependents will become COBRA qualified beneficiaries with respect to the bankruptcy. You will be entitled to COBRA continuation coverage until your death. Your surviving spouse and covered Dependent children will be entitled to COBRA continuation coverage for up to 36 months following your death. However, COBRA continuation coverage will cease upon the occurrence of any of the events listed under “Termination of COBRA Continuation” above. Interaction With Other Continuation Benefits You may be eligible for other continuation benefits under state law. Refer to the Termination section for any other continuation benefits.
HC-FED66
07-14
25
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