Dependents will lose the right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. If you reject COBRA continuation coverage before the due date, you may change your mind as long as you furnish a completed election form before the due date. Each qualified beneficiary has an independent right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. Continuation coverage may be elected for only one, several, or for all Dependents who are qualified beneficiaries. Parents may elect to continue coverage on behalf of their Dependent children. You or your spouse may elect continuation coverage on behalf of all the qualified beneficiaries. You are not required to elect COBRA continuation coverage in order for your Dependents to elect COBRA continuation. How Much Does COBRA Continuation Coverage Cost? Each qualified beneficiary may be required to pay the entire cost of continuation coverage. The amount may not exceed 102% of the cost to the group health plan (including both Employer and Employee contributions) for coverage of a similarly situated active Employee or family member. The premium during the 11-month disability extension may not exceed 150% of the cost to the group health plan (including both employer and employee contributions) for coverage of a similarly situated active Employee or family member. For example: If the Employee alone elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Employee will be charged 102% (or 150%) of the active Employee premium. If the spouse or one Dependent child alone elects COBRA continuation coverage, they will be charged 102% (or 150%) of the active Employee premium. If more than one qualified beneficiary elects COBRA continuation coverage, they will be charged 102% (or 150%) of the applicable family premium. When and How to Pay COBRA Premiums First payment for COBRA continuation If you elect COBRA continuation coverage, you do not have to send any payment with the election form. However, you must make your first payment no later than 45 calendar days after the date of your election. (This is the date the Election Notice is postmarked, if mailed.) If you do not make your first 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.
Moving Out of Employer’s Service Area or Elimination of a Service Area If you and/or your Dependents move out of the Employer’s service area or the Employer eliminates a service area in your location, your COBRA continuation coverage under the plan will be limited to out-of-network coverage only. In-network coverage is not available outside of the Employer’s service area. If the Employer offers another benefit option through Cigna or another carrier which can provide coverage in your location, you may elect COBRA continuation coverage under that option. Employer’s Notification Requirements Your Employer is required to provide you and/or your Dependents with the following notices: An initial notification of COBRA continuation rights must be provided within 90 days after your (or your spouse’s) coverage under the Plan begins (or the Plan first becomes subject to COBRA continuation requirements, if later). If you and/or your Dependents experience a qualifying event before the end of that 90-day period, the initial notice must be provided within the time frame required for the COBRA continuation coverage election notice as explained below. A COBRA continuation coverage election notice must be provided to you and/or your Dependents within the following timeframes: if the Plan provides that COBRA continuation coverage and the period within which an Employer must notify the Plan Administrator of a qualifying event starts upon the loss of coverage, 44 days after loss of coverage under the Plan; if the Plan provides that COBRA continuation coverage and the period within which an Employer must notify the Plan Administrator of a qualifying event starts upon the occurrence of a qualifying event, 44 days after the qualifying event occurs; or in the case of a multi-employer plan, no later than 14 days after the end of the period in which Employers must provide notice of a qualifying event to the Plan Administrator. How to Elect COBRA Continuation Coverage The COBRA coverage election notice will list the individuals who are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and inform you of the applicable premium. The notice will also include instructions for electing COBRA continuation coverage. You must notify the Plan Administrator of your election no later than the due date stated on the COBRA election notice. If a written election notice is required, it must be post-marked no later than the due date stated on the COBRA election notice. If you do not make proper notification by the due date shown on the notice, you and your
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